In Utero

I haven't blogged in a while, mainly because I've been working up until last week (week 39 for me) and I come home to my precious 2 year old and then I'm totally exhausted and usually in bed by 8:30. I have had days where it hurts to walk, my back aches, and my feet/legs are swollen, but mostly I have days where I realize this will be the last time that I will be pregnant again. (unless God has other plans). It makes me sad in a lot of ways, but Peter and I both agree that 2 children will be blessings enough for us and our family. Every time I feel Pierce move and kick around in my belly I stop what I'm doing and rub on him as much as I can. After having Isabella you kind of forget a lot about what it feels like. I'm trying to remember everything about these last few days as much as I can. It's so strange to feel him rub up against my bones. I just can't imagine that he's actually comfortable in there. But I'm sure God makes it as comfy as possible for His little creations. I wander who he will look like. Me, Peter, or Isabella? Or maybe a little of all of us. I've had about 3 dreams about what he will look like, but I can't seem to get one clear picture of his face. It's been kind of like a side profile or a foggy atmosphere. Kind of strange I know. I'm due in exactly 3 days. I'm only 70% and at a 1 1/2 dilated. So, I'm pretty sure he'll be late. Isabella was a week late and everything turned out great. She was 8 lbs even and I'm wandering how big he'll be. I say he'll be more than 8 lbs now that it looks like he'll be late. We shall see very soon. Isabella is excited when she talks about him, but I wander how she will really cope with a new baby in the house. I pray her adjustment won't take too long. I know it will rock her world, but it will be good for her. She will love helping mommy and daddy. Well, friends pray for me and a smooth delivery. I shall post pics of our new addition soon.

BTW, thanks Anna for making me realize I need to record this moment.
I will definitely cherish it.

Baby Showers and Pierce's Room Almost Done!

I have to say I have the best family and friends in the whole world! I am so thankful for those in my life that love me and that show me they love me no matter what. Yesterday was one of those days where I was so blessed by all of them. I had my first baby shower at my dad's yesterday morning. It was originally supposed to be last Saturday, but the snow prevented that from happening so we had to post-pone it to the next week. My step-mom Kathy and Amanda threw me the shower with that side of the family. Pierce got so many outfits, diapers, and wipes. I was so thankful. The poor baby didn't have many clothes until then. Kathy decorated the table so nice with jungle animals and made the blocks herself with Pierce's name on them. She did fantastic. Amanda helped with everything as well, the food, decorations, and anything that was asked. Thanks Kathy and Amanda! I love you. Here are a few pictures from that shower.






Then later on that day I had another shower at my mom's house for that side of the family and my closest friends. I had an awesome turnout. I wasn't sure if the ice and snow would hold off for me to have it, but thankfully it did. Mom always does things extraordinarily beautiful! Thanks Mom for making this shower so special. I loved everything about it and I know how hard you worked to make it special for me. I love you so much! Here are a few pics from that shower.






Isabella did wonderful at the shower too. She got a sweet "Big Sister" sticker in a card Amy got for her. That was so sweet Amy! She unwrapped a few presents earlier than necessary, wanted me to hold her the whole time, and finally wiped out near the end in a little fit on the floor. But, all in all, she was wonderful. I can't wait for her to meet her little brother. She's finally talking about him without me saying something first. Just today she wanted to get the lotion and put it on baby Pierce (my stomach). Then she asked if she could lay on him. I said yes and she laid her head on my stomach. It was the sweetest thing ever! I started talking to him and then she'd add in on the conversation with baby Pierce. Those moments I am going to try real hard not to forget!





Needless to say I was exhausted after two showers in one day and I hadn't felt well lately so I was in bed by 8:15. Mom came over today (Sunday) after church and we worked on Pierce's room. We finally got his bedding on, his name above his bed, the refinished dresser in, and things hung here and there. Thanks again Mom for your big help! I couldn't have done all that without you. It's about 99% done now. I want to get a scripture to go under his letters above his bed to put on the wall and we've got the mirror ordered from Hobby Lobby to go on his dresser. That should take about a week to get in. Peter did an amazing job refinishing that old piece of furniture that used to be mine and Amanda's. He worked really hard on it. Thanks honey for the hard work. That is definitely something you should be proud of and I know Pierce will be too. Here are some pictures of his room.

Fun in the Snow

It has been so much fun watching Isabella play in the snow. She wasn't too big on sledding but loved eating the snow and throwing snowballs. We played outside yesterday with our neighbors the Steelman's. If you went to Beech, my neighbor is Krista Gray. She has 2 boys, Gray and Wade, and 1 on the way this August. We had a great time playing with them, but couldn't stay out too long because it was freezing!










Today we got outside with Amanda and Tessa and their Pa-Paw. They built a snowman and we had fun watching the girls. It was so much bearable today with the sun out.

Bundling up to go outside, day 2 and giving Pierce a pat. Me at 34 weeks pregnant.

The beginnings of Pierce's room & Snow!

So, we're not done with his room just yet. Peter's putting the finishing touches on a very old piece of furniture that used to be mine and Amanda's when we were babies. He's refinishing it for Pierce. That is my favorite part of his furniture since it used to belong to me.



After touching up the walls we noticed the touch up paint did not match the walls. So, here daddy goes painting it all over again. With of course Isabella right under his feet helping out.



These are his other pieces to his furniture.



She just had to try out his changing table.



The snow we had wasn't much to sled in, but she loved eating it.


All bundled up.

January 2010

I had my 32 week ultrasound yesterday and Pierce is getting so big! I could actually see his plump cheeks, lips, and nose. He was opening and closing his hands and moving his arms around. It was so sweet! I didn't think I'd see as much as I did but it was very vivid. I loved it. I have about 7 weeks left (inducing a week early) and I can't believe how time has flown. His room had to be repainted because we messed up the "touch ups" and had to start all over. It is a pretty brown and we got his furniture in and ready to go except for one piece. Peter's got to finish staining it. I can't wait to show you the before and after pics. I'll post them soon.

Isabella is a little on the sick side this week. She has a head cold and a little bit of a fever. Poor thing can't breathe. It's pitiful. But she'll be fine in a couple of days I'm sure. She's been one very blessed little girl to not get sick so much this year. (knock on wood!) The same goes for me and Peter. We've managed to stave off the sicknesses that have been going around. Thank goodness!

I had a wonderful Christmas break. All with the exception that my Grandfather Beach died 4 days after Christmas. We had his funeral on New Year's Eve. He was 83 and was saved at around 65. That was good to hear at his service. He had been sick for a long time off and on. Now he won't have to feel that way anymore. We'll miss him so much. Isabella loved playing with him. Here's a picture of them playing together this past June.


Here are a few pics of our Christmas.


Me, my sister Angie, Amanda, and my brother Michael.


The girls playing on Granny Beach's piano.



My dad and step mom Kathy.




Mom and Arles.


At Uncle Shawn's and their new dog "Tink".