Happy Birthday Jesus!

I know I am late (as usual), but I thought I would stop to say Merry Christmas! Our family had a wonderful holiday starting on Thursday as Jay, Grace, Mom and Dad joined us at Church of the Highlands for our Christmas Eve service. It began with a beautiful arrangement of Silent Night sung by Sara Evans (who had come off tour especially to come be a part of the service). Wow! What a way to start the night. And Pastor Chris's message was just as strong. God could have left us here on Earth, but He loved us so much that He sent his only son to become man, experience every trial of life so that he could empathize with us.

It was just fabulous! And followed up by a great dinner at Maccaroni Grill, Claire's first Christmas morning, lunch at my in-laws, and then picking up Bella the next morning! She is just the light of our lives, and it has been months since we've seen her, so we were thrilled to finally be all together, as a family of four! We travelled to Grandmomma and Grandbarry's house for Christmas with her aunties and uncles and then she fell asleep on the way home (who can blame the girl, she flew all night and only arrived in Alabama that morning).

But we had a whole week to pack in plenty of fun! More tales of that to come!

Thrush (aka: the biggest PITA)

So Claire has thrush... Apparently, it's not too uncommon and lots of babies get this bacterial infection. I was at my parent's last weekend and Claire was inconsolable (I would have DIED without mom to help me) and while she was wailing, mom saw this white stuff on the roof of her mouth. We looked it up, and she was right: THRUSH.


We flew home the following day (again, Claire did beautifully on the plane, despite the fact we made the flight by the skin of our teeth) and I called the pediatrician. He didn't even want to see Claire, but diagnosed her with thrush from the white spots in her mouth and called in a prescription. My OB called in a prescription for me as well, in case she got it from me, and now we are a week out (yes, I am a little late in posting this, but please no comments from the peanut gallery).

But we have become a completly sterile household. I bought a bottle sterilizer and we are back to that "wash your hands everytime you come close to the baby," "change the nipples everytime she takes a break from a bottle of breastmilk," "she spit out that paci, get a new one," all things we did when she first came home from the hospital but have since taken a back seat to everyday life. Oh, but they are back with a vengance!

Time Flies When You're Havin' Fun!

I cannot believe that Claire is ten weeks old already, but as that's how the old saying goes. I am getting my camera back from NOLA this week, so I promise more pics.

In the mean time, hold your horses!

You know how we have those people...

that aren't really aunts and uncles, but we call them that anyway? I have Aunt Lyndel, Aunt Martha, Leenie, Aunt Abby, Auntie Em. I could go on and on. Well, I am so glad that Claire has those too!

I think this is mainly a Southern thing, but since I have never lived above the Mason-Dixon line, I am extending this to my good friend Jessa. She and I met 10 years ago (I really can't believe it's been that long ago) on a Girl Scout Wider Opportunity trip in Chicago. We haven't seen each other since, but have stayed in touch over the years.

All of that is to say that this lovely outfit is courtesy of Auntie Jessa. Thanks honey, Love you!

Thanks, I Got All Dressed Up...

That was in response to what I'm sure you said sounded something like "Oh, I like the new look!" If not, well sorry.

This is the best I can do until I get a new family picture of the four of us. Which I am SO DELIGHTED to say will happen at 9am on December 26th. That's right, the four of us will all be together for the FIRST time when we pick up Bella for our holiday visit!

And this is the best I can do given I have an infant attached to me most of the day. I am going to try and get better about posting pictures of us (although I know you only really want to see Claire) and better about posting in general.

Rainy Days and Mondays

Always get me down...

Hopefully that song won't be in your head all day like it has been in mine. New Orleans had a little rain while Claire and I were there, but we had a great time with Honey and Pop. This is what a New Orleans version of "rainy days" looks like (courtesy of http://www.nola.com/)

Love at First Flight!

So our first airplane flight was a success! Claire took a little bit of a bottle at take off but otherwise slept the entire time (although, it was only an hour flight). We landed safely in New Orleans to the open arms of Honey and Pop, a lovely dinner that Claire then proceeded to scream through and a few easy nights for mom as Honey took over so I could get some rest.

Claire made the rounds at Ochsner and Nu-Lite, and even cracked a few smiles for the crowd. The highlight by far was her attendance at the 12th Annual Fat Kids Christmas Party. Since most of the people that follow this blog are pretty close to Luke and I, you probably know who the Fat Kids are. But if not, this is the most amazing group of girls that I have been blessed enough to call my friends since freshman year in high school. And we have a Christmas Party EVERY year, this year being the big 1-2 (we're almost teenagers!).

We already have a little Fat Kid (Laynie) and now Claire to carry on the tradition. Pictures are coming, although Santa may have upstaged Claire (you'll see what I mean when I post the pics)

Eight Week Check Up

Claire had her eight week check up today. She is doing just great, weighing 10.5 pounds and 23 inches long. She's in the 50%th percentile in both. Claire did not like the four shots she had or the blood being drawn, but she forgot about it much quicker than I did.

We are seeing the pediatric urologist tomorrow and I will update with those results as soon as I can! Keep us in your prayers!

More Claire Pics

I have been terrible about posting pictures of Claire, but here are a few...

4 weeks


5 weeks


6 weeks

Mothers Hide Your Sons

Because this is the face of a heartbreaker!

A New Court Order Has FINALLY Come In

It's a little complicated, but it short order here is what it said. We didn't get any custody, legal or physical. We have an increased child support obligation, but we knew that was coming. Bella's mom now has to pay all of the transportation costs for her to fly here at least three times a year (Spring Break, Summer, Christmas). We are sad that the judge has eliminated our Thanksgiving, Easter, Father's Day and birthday visitation, but we may motion for more visitation next year.

There's more to it than that, but those are the main thing. Basically it just puts more burden on Bella's mom to move closer and her costs are lower. It is nice to know when the next time we will see Bella again (December 26th-January 1st) as that is always the most stressful.

When I have time, I will try to explain more but as for now Claire is waking up. Please pray for peace with this decision and for grace and wisdom as we navigate this new order.

Please Pray!

We are getting a court ruling this week and are asking God that we will get to have Bella this Christmas, despite the enormous cost of plane tickets. We hope that the court will raise our child support and make Bella's mom pay for all transportation costs.

Updates coming ASAP!

Happy Turkey Day!

We made our first trip with baby in tow, and it was wonderful! We visited my dad's side of the family in Atlanta for a Happy Thanksgiving and a great celebration of my Grandma's 80th birthday!

Here are some pictures...

CiCi and Claire


MiMi and Claire




Genevie and Claire


Aunt Becky and Claire


Claire in her Thanksgiving dress (thanks Katie and Stephen)


MiMi, Michele and I


Misty, me and Mandy


Luke and I at the Smith House for Grandma's 80th birthday

Who Dat!

Go Saints Go! 9-0 Baby!

From Claire's First Shopping Trip

Wednesday, October 21st was Claire's first shopping trip. Mom and I had to get a few things from Target. But Honey said "Her first shopping trip really should have been to Saks Fifth Avenue!"

Here we are...

More Journal Entries

First Pediatrician Appointment
Thursday, October 15, 2009

Today is the first day your Dad went back to work. It was hard for me to watch him leave, but I was ok knowing Honey and Granny Jane were there to help me. We put together your stroller this morning, which Honey calls the “Mercedes of Strollers.” It was quite complicated, but we figured it out.

Then, this afternoon Honey and I took you to your first pediatrician appointment. When I was 36 weeks pregnant, your ultrasound showed an enlarged ureter, which is the tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder. My doctor wasn’t concerned at that point, but thought we should look at it after you were born. They did an ultrasound on you and today it came back abnormal, so we are having more tests run on November 3rd.

The nurse said you had some really strong legs after you nearly kicked yourself off of the scale. Coming home from the hospital you weighed 7 pounds 5 ounces and today you lost two more ounces. The pediatrician was concerned that you were not getting enough nursing, so we are supplementing with formula. I am still really hurting from delivery, so we went home to rest some more.


Lots of Visitors
Friday, October 16, 2009

We had lots of our friends come over tonight to meet you. Chris and Alise Cartledge came from Atlanta and Matt Ochocki and Kendall Crawford (Daddy is in their wedding next summer) came from Tuscaloosa. Uncle Jay came as well. He was so funny, really didn’t know what to think about you. Daddy grilled steak and shrimp and our favorite vegetables- squash and zucchini- and we had mini cheesecakes for dessert. I was exhausted, but it felt nice to actually get dressed up and put on makeup.


Alabama vs. South Carolina Game
Saturday, October 17, 2009

Honey and Granny Jane went to Huntsville to visit my Grammie, so Daddy and I watched football in bed most of the day. This is just the first of many Saturdays we will be doing this same thing. You will grow up watching football every Saturday in the Fall. It’s just something your Dad and I love to do, although he has control of the remote most of the day.

But that night, Grandmomma and Grandbarry came over with Archibald’s (your Dad’s favorite bar-b-que) and we watched your first Alabama football game. Of course, Alabama won, but Tennessee was off today.


Today is My Due Date & You Had Lots More Visitors
Sunday, October 18, 2009

Ahhh, it’s my due date today. I really think having a week old baby is way better than still being pregnant. Daddy’s cousin Erin and her fiancé Ron (actually they got engaged the following Sunday) came from Knoxville to meet you. And more family as well… Auntie Jessica and Camille, Auntie Bethany and Uncle John, Grandmomma and Grandbarry. And then we were able to see your nig sister Bella on the webcam. It was really a wonderful day, and you are ONE WEEK OLD already!

Pictures of Claire

I know I have been terrible about posting pictures, so here we go...


2 weeks


3 weeks


Just one that I really like

Completion of the Birth Story

This is from Claire's journal, so it's written from me to her...

Getting Ready for Your Arrival
Friday, October 9, 2009

My doctor had originally scheduled for me to be induced on Monday, October 12th, but at my 38 week appointment, he told me he didn’t work on Columbus Day, so I would have to wait until Tuesday, October 13th. I figured I had waited for you my entire life, what was one more day.

Friday night I was standing in my good friend Tifanni’s wedding (yes, people told me I was crazy for being in a wedding nine months pregnant). Honey and Pop drive in from New Orleans and met me in Tuscaloosa for the wedding and then we drove back to Birmingham for the night.

Honey’s mom (my Grammie) had a stroke in Huntsville the weekend before, so they were going to visit her the next night, and then we would get ready to meet our little angel. Little did we know, we wouldn’t have to wait long.

Birth Story
Saturday, October 10, 2009

Your dad and I were watching football (as we do every Saturday) and I decided to go upstairs and get ready for bed. Right after I laid down, I felt a pop in my stomach and realized the bed was wet. I first thought maybe I had wet the bed (because you often treated my bladder as a trampoline). And earlier that morning, Honey and I were getting ready to go have a manicure and I noticed my shorts were wet. I rested on the couch, but had no contractions, so we thought it was nothing and went on shopping and out to lunch. I realize now, that was your way of warning us that you were coming. I am somewhat grateful for that false alarm because until then, your dad did not have his hospital bag packed!

But when I got out of bed that night around 10:30pm and walked to the bathroom, I could tell my water had really broken. I called for your dad and he ran upstairs (I think he could tell by my voice something was up). When I told him we were about to have a baby, he called Grandmomma and Grandbarry and I called Honey and Pop. They both told us to hang up and call the hospital instead!

I took a shower, dad packed the car and we headed to the hospital. We checked in around 11:45pm and the nurse (as sweet as she was) told me to rest. I was about the have a baby and they expected me to rest. Honey and Pop arrived from Huntsville around 1:30am. Dr. Foster came in (of course my doctor was not on call on a Saturday night- he doesn’t even work on Columbus Day) and told us that nothing would happen before daybreak, so I told Honey and Pop to go home, but they wouldn’t. Daddy laid down on the pull out sofa and Honey in the recliner. Pop just paced the halls of the hospital all night.

Happy Birthday Claire!
Sunday, October 11, 2009

The nurse gave me some pain medication around 2:00am and then came the epidural at 5:00am. I was really nervous about that big needle, but it really didn’t hurt that bad. At this point I was 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced. They gave me a little pitocin to speed up my labor, but I apparently didn’t need any help. By 7:00am, I was fully dilated and effaced and it was time to push. The nurses started wheeling in all this stuff, and I had to wake up your dad (who was sleeping soundly). And so I started to push… for three hours. And in those three hours, the Lord taught me the virtue of patience. I had to wear an oxygen mask to make sure you were getting enough. I would pull it down every now and then and your dad would feed me ice chips. Everyone kept saying that I was a trooper and doing such a great job, but I was just driven by my desire to meet you, and preferably sooner rather than later. Daddy and I couldn’t wait to see who you looked like or whose personality you had. We simply couldn’t wait to start being your parents.

And at 10:37am, you entered our lives, which would never be the same. To hear your first cry was the most wonderful sound. When the doctor asked me if I thought your cry was a glorious sound, I told him it was much better than hearing “push, push, push!” Everyone thought it was funny, but I just wanted to hold you, and hug you, and love on you. But after Daddy cut the cord, they washed you up and he got to bring you to me. It was if I was created to love you, and I will cherish that job for the rest of my life.

We had tons of visitors all day, and after the last person left that night and it was just the three of us, it was like the beginning of the rest of our lives. I wish Bella could have been there to meet you, but she will be here soon, and she is so excited about being your big sister.

More to come... I'm just a bit busy!

Start of the Birth Story

Since my brain is fried, I will tell this story in picture. They said pictures are worth 1,000 words, right?

Water broke at 10:30pm Saturday, October 10th. Luke packed the car, I took a shower and off we went...
Here is Luke driving to the hospital- 11:30pm


Checked in at the hospital- 11:45pm


Ready for the epidural- 5am


Time to push (can you tell I'm excited/ drugged up)- 7:30am


Claire is born- 10:37am (yes, that's right... 3 hours of pushing)


I am working on a more detailed version for Claire's journal, which I will post upon it's completion. Hey, this is a start!

I know, I know, I know...

I need to post pictures, but we have been so busy and are simply exhausted! I promise I am trying to get them downloaded, but my camera doesn't want to let me and I don't have the energy to fight it right now.

Hopefully something soon!

Claire Kimball is Here!

She was born yesterday, October 11, 2009 at 10:37am weighing in at 7 pounds 15 ounces and 20 inches long. She has a full head of dark hair and Luke's blue eyes. I will post pictures as soon as I can! Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers.

A week from now...

I will be able to sleep on my stomach! I may not be sleeping for long, but I will be home from teh hospital, back in my bed and on my tummy! Luke just pointed this out to me so I thought I would share...

38 Week Belly

Can you tell I am getting uncomfortable?

Thirty-Eight Weeks and Counting...

How far along? 38 weeks 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: -1 since last dr. visit/ +29 total
Maternity clothes? Yep, and even one bridesmaids dress that still fits!
Stretch marks? I found my first one with five days to go :(
Sleep:Not really
Best moment this week: Bella got to feel Claire move!
Movement: Most squirming and huccups
Food cravings: Taco Casa
Gender: It's a GIRL! Claire Kimball McGlothin
Labor Signs: A few contractions here and there
Belly Button in or out? Belly button is officially out
What I miss: Bella left Wednesday so we're sad she won't be here when Claire is born :(
What I am looking forward to: Mom and Dad coming today, then Claire can come anytime!
Milestones: Scheduled the induction for Tuesday, October 13th!!

Custody Trial... I just HATE court!

It was long and hard, but the worst part is we left with no answer. I am so proud of Luke! He did such a great job representing himself, and we were really prepared for this. We know we did all we could and now we just wait...

We thank God for the provision of time, as it looked like we would run over, but everything got in before the end of the day and we are supposed to hear something later this week. I will post something as soon as we know!

Thanks for all the encouragement, support, and prayers. We love you all!

37 Week Belly Bump

So I just got back from the doctor and he is sure we are not having this baby before court on Monday, so Luke and I are breathing a huge sigh of relief! I am now 2 cm dilated and still 50% effaced. He also said we are still on to be induced Monday, October 12th :) I can't believe it is getting this close!

Here we are at 37 weeks! Luke still can't believe how big my belly is and he sees me everyday!

Thirty-Seven Weeks and Counting...

How far along? 37 weeks 1 days
Total weight gain/loss: +2 since last dr. visit/ +30 total
Maternity clothes? I have about three tops and two bottoms that still fit, so sorry if you see me in the same outfit a few times in one week but I refuse to buy any more maternity clothes at this stage in the game.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: If I can fall asleep on one side before that side of my back starts to hurt, then I am good; if not, I just toss and turn from one side to another as each side starts to hurt
Best moment this week: Claire's Atlanta baby shower- It was so great to see the whole family and Grandma went WAY above and beyond in hosting the greatest shower!
Movement: Most squirming, since there is no room to kick anymore
Food cravings: rice krispies, butter pecan ice cream
Gender: It's a GIRL! Claire Kimball McGlothin
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Belly button is officially out
What I miss: Peeing in a cup with no trouble (it's just a lot harder these days with this big belly i the way)
What I am looking forward to: Seeing Bella on Thursday
Milestones: I'm sure I'll be more dialted or effaced by the time I go to the doc on Wednesday...

36 Week Belly Pic

Sorry this is late (again) but here it is!

Thirty-Six Weeks and Counting...

How far along? 36 weeks 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: +2 since last dr. visit/ +30 total
Maternity clothes? Most of those are too small now (I never thought I would say that) so I have resorted to Luke's t-shirts
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Not with this cold
Best moment this week: Grammie coming to visit and spoiling us with a ham, green bean casserole, and chocolate cake; and the mani/ pedi I am about to go have
Movement: Oh yeah!
Food cravings: peanut butter crackers
Gender: It's a GIRL! Claire Kimball McGlothin
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Belly button is officially out
What I miss: red wine with steak
What I am looking forward to: Claire's shower in Atlanta and seeing the whole fam
Milestones: I am 1 cm dialted and 50% effaced

Getting Ready for Court

So we just found out that Bella is coming back to Alabama September 30th- October 7th. We are thrilled that we will get to see her, but sad that she'll only be here a week and probably leave before Claire is born.

But we trust in the Lord's timing and that it is always perfect. I am reading some procedural things today and getting ready to create our case for custody. It's a bit overwhelming, but we have to give it to God and know that He is in control.

Please continue to pray for peace and wisdom as we prepare for court and that no matter what happens, our faith is renewed and not called into question.

Claire's Due Date is ONE MONTH AWAY!

I can't believe the due date is so quickly approaching. One day I am so ready for to be here, and then the next I am panicking that it is so close. I got another batch of clothes today at a great consignment sale and was busy washing them and putting them away, as if she could arrive any minute.

And on top of that, I have come down with a mean cold; sore throat, runny nose, cough, the whole shebang! I know there are a few things I can take, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that. But last night, I only slept a total of four hours so I may break down if I can't sleep again.

I have to go set up our webcam so we can see Bella tonight (for the first time in almost three months). She had her first field trip today to go see "Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs," and is so excited to tell us all about it.

Baby Claire at 35 Weeks

Here is a snapshot of Claire's face at our ultrasound Tuesday. I think the black part covering half of her face is my bladder (which is seemingly always full these days). I can't beleive she will be here in about a month!



Looks like she will have those McGlothin family baby cheeks. And our ultrasound tech was also able to see that she has at least some hair (which is good news since I was bald until almost one year old)!

35 Week Belly Pic

She's still pretty high and I am VERY ready for her to drop so I can breathe again!

Thirty-Five Weeks and Counting...

How far along? 35 weeks 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: +4 since last dr. visit/ +28 total
Maternity clothes? Yep, and I still have to find something to wear to court tomorrow
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: No, not much else to add than No, I am not sleeping
Best moment this week: Seeing Claire's face on the ultrasound and hearing her heartbeat (164 bpm)
Movement: At every point in the day, I can feel her not necessarily kicking but definately moving
Food cravings: peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich
Gender: It's a GIRL! Claire Kimball McGlothin
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Belly button is officially out
What I miss: I have a bit of a sore throat so I miss being able to take any kind of medicine without a second thought
What I am looking forward to: weekly OB appointments
Milestones: I am 1 cm dialted!

35/35 Mark, And Panic Sets In

So I finally made it to the 35/35 mark... This means that I am 35 weeks down and only 35 days to go. I'm having a real breakdown thinking there are probably fewer than 35 days until Claire arrives. So, in light of this milestone, let's put Luke to work.

*Cleaning out the guest room closet (to make room for everything that was in the office, now nursery, closet)
*Hang our curtain rod and curtains (yes, we have lives here a year and a half, but we're just now getting around to this)
*Hang blinds in the nursery
*Install video monitor (so I don't have to go upstairs to check on our princess everytime she makes a sound)
*Clean up garage (although it's mainly full of empty boxes due to the lovely gifts that continue to arrive)
*Install side mounting brackets to the dishwasher since we have granite countertops (this was a fail, since neither of us could understand the directions and I figure my dad will need a project or two to acomplish while my mom takes care of me and baby)
*Figure out something to do with our poor excuse for a garden in the backyard (we finally have grass growing but Cooper refuses to allow anything to grow in the garden and she just digs up dirt to spread acrodd the patio so I think we'll cover it with some stone tiles, I don't know)
*Finish washing Claire's clothes (I need Luke's help with this since I can no longer reach the bottom of the washing machine- big belly in the way)

I really need to remind myself to breathe!

My Poor Organs !!

So this is why I can't breathe! Please take a gander at what normal organs look like (at 8 weeks everything is still pretty normal) and what they become at 35 weeks!



Thanks to the Univesrsity of Maryland Medical Center for clearing this up!

Maternity Pics

When we went to the beach last weekend, my lovely sister-in-law (Bethany, I should specify since I have three, almost four sisters-in-law) was kind enough to take some pictures of Luke and I. I basically had to drag him down from the condo (one hour before the first Alabama footbal game of the season) and tease him with the promise of bar-b-qued shrimp (which while not exactly what it sounds like, is way awesome).

He acted like the oh-so-wonderful husband that he is, shaved his face and wore what I asked, and posed like the model he should be :) Here are a few of the highlights...




His arms are like twice the size of mine!


I love this one!



This is one of my faves!

I didn't realize we covered the belly until afterwards... oops!

I saw this on thebump.com and had to steal the idea!

You can't really see the belly here, but I still love how it came out.

34 Week Belly

Here is a glimpse of the maternity pics we took last weekend... Six weeks to go!

Thirty-Four Weeks and Counting...

How far along? 34 weeks 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: +2 since last dr. visit/ +24 total
Maternity clothes? Yep, and my favorite Target shorts are now too small :( I need it to get cooler so I can transition to jeans
Stretch marks? Not yet
Sleep: Cycle has become try to get comfprtable, get up and pee, try to get comfortable, get up and pee; notice there is no actual sleep in that cycle
Best moment this week: Laying on the beach, by far
Movement: Yes, and what I thought was rythmic dance by Claire is actually her hiccups
Food cravings: Food is not more important than breathing and now that I am having to choose between eating and breathing (at least until she drops), I am chossing breathing
Gender: It's a GIRL! Claire Kimball McGlothin
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Belly button is officially out
What I miss: The ability to bend down (Luke had to retreive by golf ball on the putt putt course because I can no longer reach the ground)
What I am looking forward to: Start of the Fall Small Groups at Church of the Highlands :)
Milestones: Maternity pictures have been taken and will be posted soon!

Even the Unemployed Celebrate Labor Day!

I often feel sorry for myself that I got laid off when I was 14 weeks pregnant and mull over the fact that no one is hiring (and no one is especially hiring pregnant people), but as the hard working celebrate their well-deserved day off, I reflect.

I am really so lucky that I have a hard-working husband that can support us, great health insurance through his company, and this time to prepare our home and our family for this wonderful new blessing.

I sometimes wonder how pregnant people work a 40 hour week and live through it. I don't sleep very well at night and therefore nap throughout the day. When I have a craving, I just go out to the grocery and get it. I was able to paint the nursery and get things ready just the way I wanted them to be. And best of all, I spent the whole summer at home with Bella! These are all things I can/ could do because I don't have to work.

Part of me is ready to get back into the professional world, but part of me is so spoiled with this time off. Sometimes I just want an intelligent conversation with someone other than Luke. (I feel bad for Luke because every day when he gets home, I literally talk his ear off.) I just want to feel like I am doing something important. But the other part of me knows that when Claire arrives, I may never want to leave her side, not even for the greatest job opportunity. I know I can't stay home forever, and real sacrifices have been made for this stint of unemployment to be possible.

But as we wind down from a wonderful vacation, I will celebrate today anyway, as I think I am doing a pretty darn good job of growing a human. And what could be more important than that.

Life is better at the beach :)

Luke and I arrived at the beach yesterday afternoon, and are so happy to be here! We went to eat at Doc's Seafood House last night.



And my nephew Liam, with his "Dangerous" t-shirt, and my neice Camille with her sassy face

33 Week Belly Pic

Thirty-Three Weeks and Counting

How far along? 33 weeks 3 days
Total weight gain/loss: +2 since last dr. visit/ +24 total
Maternity clothes? Yep, and even some of my maternity shirt are too short already.... Yikes!
Stretch marks? Not yet
Sleep: Two words: Constantly. Exhausted.
Best moment this week: Hearing Claire's heartbeat (146 bpm)
Movement: Always, I don't think she sleeps
Food cravings: Rice Krispie Treats
Gender: It's a GIRL! Claire Kimball McGlothin
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Half in, Half out
What I miss: Not having constant indigestion (constant seems to be my word of the week)
What I am looking forward to: Going to the beach for Labor Day Weekend!
Milestones: We scheduled our last two week appointment for September 15th when we'll have the final ultrasound and the doc will check if I am dialted or effaced! Then I start going every week!

A Trial Date... Finally

Luke and I went to court this morning and we got a date set for trial: Friday, October 2nd at 8am... We feel pretty good about this date, considering it could have been much closer to my due date. And the following week is Bella's fall break from school, so hopefully she will come back to Alabama for more than a few days.

We just ask that you continue to pray for our family that God will reveal His plan for us. We pray that Claire will not come that early, and I will be available to testify at trial and support Luke. We know that God is faithful and that He loves Bella and wants only the best for her life.

We'll keep you updated as we learnmore about how things will unfold.

Thirty-Two Week Baby Belly

Here is Luke and I at the Tuscaloosa shower at 32 weeks...

Thirty-Two Weeks and Counting

How far along? 32 weeks 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: +2 since last dr. visit/ +22 total
Maternity clothes? Yep
Stretch marks? Not yet
Sleep: Terrible... I just can't get comfortable, so I fall asleep from pure exhaustion
Best moment this week: Claire's Tuscaloosa shower
Movement: Yes, and for some reason she stops every time Luke puts his hand on my belly
Food cravings: Spaghettios
Gender: It's a GIRL! Claire Kimball McGlothin
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Half in, Half out
What I miss: a big Starbucks, non-decaf
What I am looking forward to: not being pregnant anymore
Milestones: Childbirth class gave us a real picture of what delivery is going to be like!

Childbirth & Parenting Class

Last Sunday we went to a class called Preapring for Paretnhood at St. Vincent's Hospital, where we will be delivering. The videos we watched gave Luke way more than he ever wanted to see, but overall it was very informative. We got to tour the birthing suites and we know where to check in, etc. It was a long day, highlighted by the following pictures...

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He said, "Oh this is sooo heavy" and I thought he should try carrying it around for nine months!