Saying Good Bye to Bella

Yesterday was the end of our six-week Summer visit with Bella. She flies back to Hawaii with her mom and half-sister on Wednesday. It was an emotional day for us, alothough we are so thankful for the wonderful memories we were able to make. We really feel like she is now at an age when she will remember all of the fun time we had and the wonderful vacations we took.

We still don't know when we will see her again, but we have faith in the Lord's plan for her and for us. We just have to trust in that plan and know that we are not in control. Please continue to pray for us as the coming weeks without will be tough.

23 Week Baby Bump

Here is the 23 week bump... Growing really fast now!

Baby McGlothin's Nursery

So, we have settled on Baby M's nursery. Really it was just me; Luke only cared that we didn't paint yet another room in our house pink. So we are going with this bedding (Love Birds by Bananafish) with pale yellow walls.



Erin and I assembled the crib on Monday and I am working on cleaning out the office so it can officially transformed into a nursery. It is still wierd walking by that room with the crib put together. It's getting a lot more real!

Twenty-Three Weeks and Counting

How far along? 23 weeks 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: +3 since last dr. visit/ +9 total
Maternity clothes? Yes, although I sported a bikini last week
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: So so
Best moment this week: Putting the crib together with Erin (it's starting to look like a nursery!)
Movement: Yes, and it's much more consistent
Food cravings: chicken sandwiches, bacon
Gender: It's a GIRL!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In but getting shallow
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach, Shiraz
What I am looking forward to: Viability (24 weeks)
Milestones: I think we've selected bedding! Yeah!

Baby M at 23 Weeks

Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

22 Week Baby Bump

Again, a week late but oh well. Better than never.

Family Court Hearing

We just got home from our family court hearing. Bella's mom got a new attorney so the judge granted his motion for continuance. We have rescheduled a status conference for July 20th at 8:30am. We don't know what that means for Bella and whether they will go back to Hawaii before then or not.

Everyone, including the judge, knows this is a delay tactic, but we will hopefully reschedule the custody trial before Bella starts Kindergarten. Please continue to pray for us and for Bella.

"Hey boys..."

"Who wants to play with the prettiest girl in the whole wide world?" This is what Bella said when three brothers entered the McDondalds playplace last week. Luke about fell out of his chair.

Later that night, Luke told Bella that he was going to share this story with her first boyfriend, to which she replied, "Oh silly Daddy, I'm never going to let you talk to any of my boyfriends. You will scare them away."

We are going to be in big trouble in about ten years!

Twenty-Two Weeks and Counting

How far along? 22 weeks 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: +3 since last dr. visit/ +9 total
Maternity clothes? Yes, that and some size alrge shirts
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: So so
Best moment this week: Hearing her heartbeat again (156 bpm)
Movement: Yes, and Luke got to feel her this week too
Food cravings: pizza
Gender: It's a GIRL!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In but getting shallow
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach, Shiraz
What I am looking forward to: registering, getting ready for baby showers
Weekly Wisdom: It make seem like common sense, but beware that procreating with a large man like my husband will result in a large baby and a really sore back.
Milestones: Figuring out what makes her kick- orange juice and worship music

21 Week Belly- A week late

So I'm just destined to be a week behind with all of this. But here I am at 21 weeks.

Bella lost her first tooth

And she is the cutest snaggletooth kid around. She actually swallowed it but the tooth fairy rushed in, "took it away" and left $5 in it's place. It was so fun!

From our trip to New Orleans...

We had a wonderful weekend in New Orleans with my parents and my brother, Jay. Here are a few snapshots.

Mom and Bella


Me and Luke


Walking through the French Quarter


Luke eating bugs after our visit to the Insectarium


Swimmin in Mom and Dad's pool

Twenty-One Weeks and Counting...

How far along? 21 weeks 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: +7 total
Maternity clothes? pretty much everything but I am sporting a pre-preg bikini today
Stretch marks? I think I found one on my boobs
Sleep: Can't get enough but Bella has been sleeping with us, so it's understandable
Best moment this week: Feeling her kick more consistently
Movement: Yes, but I am still trying to find out what makes her kick
Food cravings: back to peanut butter and really cold milk
Gender: It's a GIRL!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In but getting shallow
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach, Shiraz
What I am looking forward to: Hearing the heartbeat again next Wednesday
Weekly Wisdom: Always blame it on someone else, for example-
Me: Bella, you were kicking me in your sleep last night
Bella: It wasn't me; must have been the little girl in your tummy
Milestones: A stranger asking me when I was due (I am officially pregnant to strangers!)

Pics from the Smokies...

We spent Memorial Day weekend in the Smokey Mountains with the McGlothin family and the cousins in Knoxville. Here are a few snapshots from our wonderful time in Tennessee.

The whole gang at the cabin...

And Bella and I at the river (it was freezing)...

And playing putt putt...

18 and 19 and 20 Week Belly Pics

I know I haven't posted a belly pic in a while, so here is one from 20 weeks.



And this one is from 19 weeks...


And this one is from 18 weeks before Julie & Matt's wedding (mom was a great date!)

Headed to the Big Easy

So we are off to New Orleans today... I can't wait to see mom, dad, and Jay. We are taking Bella to the aquarium and the insectarium and getting some good food while we are there. The fam will get to see the DVD ultrasound of Baby M for the first time and maybe we'll do some shopping for her. I really want a fleur de lis onesie or one that says I HEART NOLA.

The drive is something I could do without, given the need for frequent pee breaks, but it will be so worth it just to be "home."

Belly pics are coming, I promise.

So I've been a slacker...

I know I haven't posted anything new in quite some time, but staying home with Bella is more time consuming and a lot harder than I thought. Not to mention, I am constantly exhausted no matter how much sleep I get, so here is the weekly quiz...

How far along? 20 weeks 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: +6 total
Maternity clothes? pretty much everything
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Can't get enough
Best moment this week: Feeling her kick more consistently
Movement: Yes, espcecially the dance party at Anna's wedding
Food cravings: fruit and sweets
Gender: It's a GIRL!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In but getting shallow
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach
What I am looking forward to: Seeing my parents and brother this weekend
Weekly Wisdom: Sleep when you have a chance
Milestones: Making it HALF WAY!