Dear Baby Fox (18 Weeks)

Eighteen Weeks

Dear Baby Fox,

  Eighteen weeks. Oh my goodness, you're almost 6 inches long now!! I would say it's hard to believe, but judging by the size of my belly these days, I totally believe it! I'm  so proud of you and the progress you've made so far. Keep it up, little one!

  Christmas was extra special this year. Not only because you've been doing somersaults in your mama's belly, but because it was on Christmas day you threw your first punches and kicks!  What a strong little one you are! You moving around in me in that day really got me thinking more and more about that first Christmas. You see, God called a young girl named Mary to carry a baby boy she would name Jesus. He was going to be the Light of the World. Even though Mary probably felt pretty inadequate to be the mother of the Savior, God called her and gave her the grace to do it. 

  Granted, I'm not carrying the Son of God in my belly. But I can't help but to relate to Mary. See, Baby, I feel completely inadequate to be your mom. Not because I "don't know what I'm doing," but because it's so beyond humbling to be called by our loving Creator to be the parent of one of His children He loves so much. I can't believe God would choose ME! It's a complete honor and it's not something I take lightly. Your daddy and I will be looking to God every step of the way.

  Baby, in just a few short days we will (hopefully) find out if you're a boy or a girl. We are so excited to find out and to pick out a name for you. I personally am just excited to see you on our ultrasound. I will be able to see your little hands and feet and see your little nose and mouth. What a gift you are, sweet Baby Fox! I love you! 

Love, Mama 

How far along?: 18 weeks

Baby is the size of a:  Sweet potato

The Bump: Growing daily and becoming more and more itchy...can't have enough lotion these days!!

Symptoms: I haven't thrown up in 8 days! It's a Christmas miracle!! Blood sugar is still dropping causing nauseousness, but overall getting better!!

Food Cravings: Peppermint icecream

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Just the dog food still

Sleep: Sleeping better, finally, thanks to my body pillow!

What I miss: I want to go tanning :(

Weddings Rings On or Off: On

Any Names Picked Out Yet: There's finally a few on the table, but still no idea!

Gender Prediction: I would love a boy, but I still have this feeling God will bless us with a girl! We'll see soon!

Movement: Finally kicking...still not consistently but a little bit every other day or so

Maternity Clothes: These past two weeks I really grew in to some of my maternity shirts! Crazy how fast that happens!

Labor Signs: None.

Best Moment of the Week: Feeling three kicks on Christmas day

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Finding out what sweet baby Fox is!!

What your Nightstand says about You

In the last couple of weeks I've gotten a good laugh or two out of something I've never laughed at before: my nightstand. Hang in there, you'll see why. The last couple of years, my nightstand has consisted of a lamp, alarm, a picture, and maybe some Chapstick or a good book. Being pregnant changes EVERYTHING, including the furniture surrounding your bed. Here's what my nightstand looks like now: 

That's right. Plenty of water, lotion, Chapstick, Progrestrone, Zofran, Tylenol, Colace, Gas-X, Prenatals, and a magazine. Plus, thanks to this never ending cold, there are now another two prescriptions added to the mix. I'm one sad woman :)

Dear Baby Fox (16 weeks)

Sixteen Weeks

Dear Baby Fox,
  We've reached sweet sixteen! You're growing up so fast already! Your little arms and legs have started kicking and squirming and I finally got to feel you move. I felt you right after the worship set at church...Now that I know you can hear, I have to wonder if you love music like your mama and you were just upset that the songs were over. I totally feel ya.
  Speaking of which, I hope you're ready to hear me sing. A lot. In the shower, while I'm getting ready, and ALWAYS in the car. You'll hear a variety of songs, too. The Band Perry, JJ Heller, Phil Wickham, Christmas Carols, and of course the little ditty's I make up as I talk to Sophie. I'll make up songs for you some day too. You're sure to love them!
  I'm being continually reminded how blessed we are to have you in our lives. Baby, I do not take you for granted. I want you to know we consider you a gift and we humbly accept all that God graciously offers us. So somewhere in the midst of all the headaches and throwing up and tears and exhaustion, I thank God for the opportunity to feel so yucky, because I know so many would love to feel this way with the promise of a baby. 
  Christmas is fast approaching and soon after we get to find out if you are a baby boy or baby girl! We're so anxious, but I'm even more excited for next Christmas, when we get to see you discover the Christmas lights and wrapping paper! You are a joy, sweet baby. Happy kicking!

Love, Mama

How far along?: 16 weeks

Baby is the size of a:  almost 5 inches long! Oh my!

The Bump: Getting round! Hard to believe I'm going to grow so much more!

Symptoms: Feeling like a human being again! About three times a week I still get nauseous and I'm still exhausted. But I can cook and walk around Target without feeling like I just might die, so that's a plus!

Food Cravings: No real cravings, but Lifesaver hard candies have gotten me through a lot! There's also a chance they've given me a cavity, but I'll choose my battles!

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Dog food, smell of our trash can

Sleep: It goes in spurts. Once I'm sleeping, I'm usually ok, but falling asleep on my side is difficult! 

What I miss: I want a sip of Woodchuck.

Weddings Rings On or Off: On

Any Names Picked Out Yet: Waiting to find out what we're having before we talk about it much more...no need to fight over a name if we won't even have an opportunity to use it!

Gender Prediction: I'm still leaning towards Girl, but the idea of a Boy is much more present in my mind! 

Movement: Felt a few questionable flutters last week, then yesterday I most certainly felt that baby kick! I cried :)

Maternity Clothes: Just pants. Maternity shirts are still a little too big for me, but a lot of my shirts are already becoming too short

Labor Signs: None.

Best Moment of the Week: Hearing the heart beat again and feeling the first real movements!

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: For baby to kick strong enough that Brett can feel!!

As Long as it's Healthy...

  The days are dwindling down and our time to discover the gender of Baby Fox is coming soon. We are so eager and anxious to find out! In the beginning, I swore it was a boy. Then I was convinced it was a girl. Now I'm completely confused and pretty sure I'll be surprised either way! Some people have their guesses, whether it be by how I'm "carrying" (which still makes me laugh...can you tell how I'm carrying so early in the pregnancy?), or by what our siblings have had, and so on. It's fun to hear the thoughts of all of those that will be so involved in this little one's life.

  Of course people ask me if I have a preference. With this being my first baby, they usually then nod their head in understanding and say, "You probably don't care since this is your first!" And they're right. Bring me blue and dirt and Tonka trucks, and I'll be a happy lady. Bring me hair bows and leggings and ruffles, and I'll be a proud mama. I pray this attitude won't waver in the years to come with baby number two, three, maybe even four and five if I can talk Papa Fox into it :) Not that anything is wrong with wanting "one of each," but in the last couple of years I've learned more and more about how fragile each little life is and how the important thing is not the sex of the child, but the heart and life of the child.

  Usually after we discuss this, I hear the popular phrase, "Well as long as the baby is healthy!" Don't get me wrong, I know what this means, I get their point. But...is it wrong that I've come to hate this sentence?? Of course I pray God would bless us with a healthy baby. I will be looking for all ten fingers and all ten toes and, oh how I LONG to hear that first cry! I get it. But I wrestle with the fact that unhealthy babies are born every day. And you know what? Their lives matter too. I have been blessed to know babies born with cerebral palsy, downs syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, spina bifida, a hole in their heart, club foot, etc. Their lives serve such a beautiful purpose and it's an honor to watch them grow and thrive and love life.

  Sadly enough, I even know babies that never got to go home with their parents because they were unhealthy. It brings tears to my eyes to recall how painful, confusing...just devastating the news was. Unfair? Yes. But they mattered and they left a big impression on my heart. Obviously I do not want to have to go through this. No one in their right mind would sign up for a child they have to give up so soon. However, if that was God's plan for this little one's life, I would STILL, with arms high and heart abandoned, gladly receive this sweet gift and trust that God's grace is in plenty!

  The point of this rambling is to say that yes, I will continue to pray for a healthy baby. But no, I will not be using that phrase "as long as it's healthy" because that's just not how I feel. Whether this baby comes out perfectly healthy or with needs requiring special attention, this baby is ours and our hearts will overflow with love and pride.

Our New Home

So it's been three or four weeks since we moved, and I feel like it's FINALLY starting to feel like home around here. Of course we have a long way to go, arranging things to figure out the best way to make this house home. I seriously cannot wait to be able to paint (probably not until next summer...so sad, I know!), but luckily the colors the previous owners chose aren't too bad. The colors are just a little boring for my taste.  However, overall, this place is coming along! Here are just a few teaser pics to give you a better idea of where us Foxes reside!! As more and more rooms get done, I'll be adding more pictures! Until then, this will have to suffice :)

View of Kitchen from Dining Room...like the sleepy puppy?

View of Kitchen from Living Room

Other side of Kitchen

View of Backyard from Kitchen sink...I love this space!

Dining Room...No those curtains are not mine...Yes they will be the first to go!

Main Living Room off of Kitchen

Front Family Room...this will be pretty empty for a while!

Other view of Family Room

And of course no home is complete without some Friends Christmas decor!!