Happy Mothers' Day!!!!!!

Momma, you're awesome! Thanks for being fantabulous!

Thank you for helping me learn how to do backwards somersaults on your bed.

Thank you for all the late nights of chatting when I would come home from college.

Thank you for introducing me to classic books and movies: The Laura Ingalls Wilder series, Winnie the Pooh, "Gone with the Wind" and "Pretty Woman." :)

 

Thank you  for showing me how to be in a loving relationship filled with good-humor, respect and trust.

Mwah! You're the best!

And a special thanks to the other mothers in my life: My Nana, my mother-in-law, Nancy; and my godmother, Michele (Olivia Michele's namesake).

Just beautiful!

This song is just wonderful!

Special Gifts

My mom called me Sunday night to share a note that she had found in her Bible from many years ago.  It was a note she had received while she was pregnant with me that had several verses on it that had been given to her by my godmother Marcy (who passed away last summer). 

This is so special because Marcy was a trained birth instructor and she was also my mom's spiritual guide. My mom and I have talked a lot about my desire to have a natural labor with Olivia and that I'm sad I don't get to just call Marcy up and ask for her help and advice, so she knew that these verses would mean a lot to me. :)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:6-7

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Phil 4:13

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:19

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
I feel so blessed and empowered through these verses!

At 31 weeks...

Observations at 31 weeks:

• I can still paint my toenails, shave my legs and tie my shoes. :)
• I have to use the restroom every night between 2 and 3 a.m.
• Stretching is my best friend! I feel like I'm always in some strange stretching pose that gets my face close enough to the floor that dogs want to investigate and lick my nose.
• I can still get myself up off of the couch without help
• I can still get myself up off of the floor without help
• I haven't noticed a shift in my balance yet, and strangely enough, pre-pregnancy, I was much klutzier then I have been recently....
• I can still hide Olivia and not look pregnant when I wear my fleece jacket (I know this because we almost dropped below freezing on Sunday)
• For a community publication, I've been asked to write an article about eating for two, which is really funny because I'm literally the most boring eater ever... I'll do my best to make it interesting. :)

Olivia was gifted this as a hand-me-down from my cousin Brooke. Love it!

Atomic Man Duathlon

On Sunday, Russ did the Atomic Man duathlon. He chose to do the Little Boy, which is the shorter race of the two offered that day because he didn't want to kill himself in training while the weather was still cold. This was definitely a good choice because it snowed off and on all day Sunday and the the temperature was between 33-38 degrees while he was racing... brr!

Sidenote: Since I'm 31 weeks pregnant and it's the beginning of May, I didn't have too many winter weather clothes that fit to cover me and Olivia. I had been pretty pleased that I have a July due date because that should mean tank tops and cotton skirts for the warmer weather.... not. Buh!

Russ got first in his age group, 8th out the 39 men who raced and 10th out of all 59 racers! Yay! So proud!

It snowed off and on all day yesterday and this is what our yard looked like by mid-afternoon. I know we need the moisture for the ground but, seriously? Snow in May?

31 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 31 weeks on Sunday

Baby size: 17-18 inches and 3.5 lbs. According to Parents.com, about the size of a soccer ball.

Maternity Clothes: Most of the time, I have several pre-pregnancy dresses and skirts that I can still wear with stretchy shirts.

Gender: Female, Olivia Michele Bainbridge.

Movement: She keeps trying to shove my hips and ribs out of her way.  I tell her that I can't help it that I'm short and that the odds are in her favor that she'll be petite as well, so, she should be nice. :)

Cravings: Not really. I like to eat fruit and fruit flavored items.

Symptoms: Acid reflux, some Braxton Hicks contractions and a fairly constant need to pee.

Too many emotions

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-48

I am grateful that the war in the middle east has taken a big step forward but my heart hurts to even think about rejoicing for someone's death.  I'm also really concerned that there will now be another attempted attack on American soil and that anyone traveling overseas is in danger. 

I know this is a childish request, but I wish that war could just go away and we could all love each other as Jesus loved us.