Myrtle Beach... HERE WE COME!! :)

This Friday we are leaving to head down to Myrtle Beach for an entire WEEK of vacation with my family! I cannot tell you how excited the two of us are to have this time away - especially with those we love and miss dearly. :) My parents own a timeshare and take this trip once a year, but this is the first time we'll be joining them! It will be so much fun to see my family now that I actually look pregnant. The last time I saw them I had a very small bump that you wouldn't really notice as a "baby bump" - so it'll be a blast to have them finally get to feel Parker move and kick around in there! By the way... she is SUPER active in the middle of the day (especially as I type this posting), from around noon until 4:30 or so. She tends to calm down a bit for a few hours and then becomes more active again around 8:00pm. I'm glad to say that she's been very "quiet" when I lie down to sleep and I'm thankful for those uneventful nights. It used to be the other way around where she was SUPER active only at night, but now I think she's getting into more of a routine. Let's hope that continues to be the case after she's born!! ;)

This vacation will be our "last hurrah" before Parker's arrival. Not to say we won't be making any more trips... but we won't have any VACATIONS again until after she's here! I can't believe that in less than 2 months we will be holding our little girl! This pregnancy has gone by so quickly and I've really enjoyed every minute of it. I praise God for His guiding hand throughout these past 7 months and I look forward to seeing where He takes the three of us on this new journey! And here's the latest belly picture taken just a few days ago by my good friend, Kate. :)

29 weeks and still feeling great!

I know I probably shouldn't say it... but this has been such a smooth pregnancy thus far! :) I have been so blessed during these months and love every moment I feel our baby girl moving around inside my belly. I wish Shane could experience this phenomenon personally... but alas, it can never be. :)

We went in for our follow-up ultrasound and my glucose test yesterday. The outcome? All great news! The ultrasound showed NO sign of a cyst anywhere on her head (which they thought might be the case at my 21-week appointment). We PRAISE GOD for her health and His protection over her. The ultrasound tech was even nice enough to sneak in a couple 3D shots of our girl (which was not supposed to happen this time around), and it's AMAZING to see her little face... I can't believe what this technology can do!! According to measurements, Parker Joy is weighing in at exactly 3 pounds - right where she should be at this stage of the pregnancy. She is such a miracle... I can't begin to describe how in awe we are of God's grace and blessings.

The glucose test was a breeze, thanks to the fact that I was given permission to drink organic grape juice rather than the nasty orange Glucola they try to force down every pregnant woman's throat. My glucose level was 69 one hour after I drank my 13.3 ounces of juice - definitely FAR below the 130 mark they've set. :)

After the appointment was over, we were able to head across the street to take a tour of the BRAND NEW women's facility at Saint Joseph East Hospital (where I'll be delivering). They just opened their doors yesterday morning and our midwife said, "Hey! You should go check it out after you leave here if you have time! I've heard it's beautiful." And is it ever!! Now things are beginning to set in for me... after seeing the rooms and the actual BUILDING where our daughter will be born. I'm so happy that I'll have the chance to experience this new facility. The doctors and nurses were MORE than excited to show us around their new digs.

And here's the latest baby bump shot taken last night. Looking forward to the next 11 weeks!

Glucola?? Hmm...

At my doctor's appointment today I was given a bottle of orange "Glucola" that contains 50 grams of sugar. I have to consume this entire bottle within 5 minutes on the morning of my next appointment (March 23) so they can stick my finger with a needle and check my blood glucose levels. Awesome. Here's my question - why is it that they don't provide any type of organic alternative to this nasty synthetic garbage?! I'm not in the habit of taking in processed sugars or any other dyes/toxins on a regular basis ON PURPOSE... so why would I want to spike my normal levels with an INorganic sugar and all other sorts of crap? I'm hoping that my midwife will allow me to drink 14 ounces of organic grape juice - which would also equal 50 grams of sugar. I feel this is a valid and reasonable alternative, don't you? And here's another profile shot of my growing belly & baby girl! :)

A brief update

I am really enjoying being pregnant!!! I feel great and I hope this continues to be the case for the remaining 3-4 months. :) I can feel her moving quite a bit these days and I must say that it is the most amazing sensation in the world... I thank God for EVERY time it happens - even if it's when I want to sleep! I definitely look permanently pregnant now - not just a little round in the mid-section. Some people have told me that they can't tell I'm pregnant if they look at me from behind, which I CERTAINLY appreciate. :) Let's hope they're not just being nice!

I'm having a bit more difficulty sleeping - or rather getting comfortable on my side - and I know this will only increase in the coming months. But I'm sleeping pretty soundly once I can find a relaxing position. I'm trying to walk every day and remember to do my exercises. Some days are better than others, though, I'll admit...

As of right now, our little girl weighs about a pound and so far I've only gained 3.5 - so not too shabby!! :) Here's the latest baby bump picture (taken about a week ago):


My next appointment is on February 24th and I'm SO looking forward to hearing her heartbeat again. I know it may sound crazy, but there are days when I just need to hear that sound to know that she's growing strong and doing well. :) That's all for now...