18 weeks...Which will it BEE?

Mommy and LS at 18 weeks!

I just love our board this week! It's always an intimidating process to decorate. When I finally do, I don't like erasing it! HE or SHE... Which will it BEE? We find out tomorrow :)

How far along? 18 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 8 lbs. I'll have a more exact number when I go to the doctor tomorrow.
Maternity clothes? Yes. My favorite jeans are some Old Navy bootcut jeans with a full panel :). haha I love them. They're super comfortable. Cory loves the idea of belly bands and panels in jeans so much that he would like some also. :) 
Stretch marks? No, but my tummy has been itching. 
Sleep: I feel the need for more and more but am not sleeping too well. We've been keeping Collier, the two year old girl that I nanny this past week during the day and overnight. This could add to the need for more sleep and the result of less. Parenthood is slowly creeping in on us! I'm praying that LS is such a good sleeper!
Best moment this week: I am sitting in tears as I write because it was such a pivotal moment for me this week. I was struggling with something deeply as I was sitting at the park watching the kids play. I was praying knowing the Lord was meeting me there and heard every cry of my heart. I was just processing some things hoping to have someone to talk to about it. I knew He was enough and He was listening and fulfills the every longing of my wayward heart. I could faintly hear the kids playing but was so focused on this moment of surrender to Him (such a bad nanny, I know). I noticed this other mom there and we ended up talking after introducing our kids to one another. She is also a believer in Jesus and has a beautiful heart for Him. She just started pouring her heart out through conversation over something that probably didn't mean that much to her, but as the words fell from her lips, I felt the Spirit of God reassuring me that I am so loved by Him, this is ultimately for my joy, and His plan is so intricately perfect and beyond my wishes and hopes. 
"I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly." John 10:10.
I felt so loved and cared for by the Creator of the universe who was bringing out the wind from His storehouses (ps 135:7) that was blowing on our faces. I'm glad I had my shades on because she might have thought I was crazy as my eyes were filling with tears. In such huge ways and small ways, I could firmly believe in my heart that I am His and He is mine! 

"No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand. 'Til He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I'll stand."  -In Christ Alone 

Our faithful and sovereign God so purposed for that sweet lady to be there at the perfect time. His grace was extended through another sister. This was my best moment this week! This might not seem baby-blog worthy but it is a moment I don't want to forget.

Have you told family and friends: Yes! We are only two days away from telling our family the gender and only ONE day away from finding out ourselves! We are so thrilled to go to our appointment tomorrow!!
Miss Anything? sleep
Movement:  I don't know for sure. There was a slight "flutter" I felt, but I wasn't sure what exactly it was because it went away so quickly. Sometimes I'll sit really still as though if I concentrated on it, it would happen. haha!
Food cravings: Applesauce, chocolate, fudge, ice cream (which is dangerous bc of a lactose intolerance. Mom, you can relate :)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nausea is gone! Praise the Lord! Back pain is here and in full force, but I'm so thankful nausea is gone! I'm thankful for the encouragement from so many women that understood, related, and encouraged during that seemingly forever long season of nausea!
Have you started to show yet: Yes, of course! I've gotten several of these- "I know you're not supposed to ask a woman this, but are you... (hoping I'll fill in the blank while they pause....) pregnant?" Haha :) It always makes me smile with the awkwardness they must be feeling when I let them pause. 
Gender prediction: HE or SHE, which will it BEE?!! We find out TOMORROW! 
Labor Signs: No. For the most part, the BHC are gone!
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody 
Looking forward to: Our appointment tomorrow with the sonographer and our OB. Cory and I are extremely ready to see our little darling moving and stretching in there. I was able to see it a few weeks ago but Cory wasn't there. I'm ready for him to experience it with me and especially to see if it's a boy or girl! Also, we are really looking forward to going to Louisiana this weekend to share with our families and a few friends what this munchkin is! 


I just want to say that it is such an encouragement to me having people read and comment. For those of you that leave me some love, I so appreciate it and every post means a lot to Cory and I both! Thank you guys for reading and keeping up with us through this current journey. We are grateful for the family and friends that our baby will be welcomed into this world with!