Baby Thoughts

Last night I was thinking about something that had to do with Baby R... and I thought "I need to write that down somewhere so that I don't forget it. That's so sweet!" I signed in here to do it, and now I can't remember what it was. ARGGGG prego brain!

Maybe it's just that I am getting more excited about seeing her face and her little perfect, innocent features.

or.... that a few days ago when we woke up, the 1st thing Will said was "Is she doing anything!?"

or... that her kicks are starting to hurt sometimes.

or... that last night I thought "I don't think I'm going to be able to get through 3 more months of this without accidentally wetting my pants when she kicks my bladder....hmmm....wonder if that secretly happens to all pregnant people???"

or... that when we poke her, she kicks back....and gets shocked when our poking finger runs into her kicking foot!

It's all such a huge blessing!

Night Adventures

How's a soon-to-be 7 month pregnant woman supposed to feel when she snuggles up to her sleeping husband, wraps his arms around her; perfecting the "spooning" position, and within seconds he COMPLETELY flips over pushing his bum against hers?

I chose to laugh :)

Life around here!

As I type this, I'm well past being able to set my laptop on my tummy. It's just too big!

This pregnancy is going a lot faster than I expected it to, already finishing up week 26. That reminds me... I have blood work I need to do. Ugh, I hope I forget again by tomorrow!

Things I'm looking forward to:

1. Looking at our baby and truly believing she's the prettiest baby who has ever been born.

2. Rubbing her head on my cheek.

3. Announcing her name. We've been keeping it a secret... I keep finding myself telling random people like waitresses and dental hygienists!

4. Seeing Will cry when she's born, because I know he will!

This weekend we went up to Nashville for the weekend to watch my friend Byron get hitched! Tons of our friends were there, and it was fun getting to act dumb with them! Friday night I was up until 4AM. It felt like I was in college again, except that I had a big huge belly making me be the only one wearing a "Motherhood" dress to the wedding. Haha! We stayed Friday night at a hotel with 5 other dudes. Thankfully they gave us a bed! I planned on sleeping in the tub if we didn't get blessed with a bed--there was only a shower-- so I was very glad they handed it over. Three dudes were in the other bed, and two were on the ground! Needless to say, much laughter was had!

That's about it. I think I'm still recovering from the weekend. The baby's bedding is made, and the room is painted! We're doing the finishing touches this Saturday. I need to sew the window valance tomorrow. Sorry that his post has no pictures!

In My mind.

I hope you don't mind if I just start blogging about whatever I feel like blogging about. If you do, feel free not to read. It's all good in the hood!

My mom's been here for a few days visiting from back home. We have our highs and lows, where we have tons of fun (like when we shop--loving her debit card!) or when we lay out on the beach and enjoy some sun. Our lows consist of one of us annoying the other...but I don't know of any two women that don't annoy each other at time. Do you? If so-- one of you probably isn't a woman.

Tonight me, Will, and Mom are sitting on three separate sofas (actually Will's on a puffy chair--we only have two sofas, he got rid of TWO before we got married...bringing the couch grand total down to two, thanksfully) each with our own laptops in our laps. It's quite the 2010 model, if you ask me. Anyway, the topic of men shaving their chests came up. Not sure how.

We got to talking about levels of hairiness for men. Here's what I broke it down to. I don't know if they agreed. What do you think?

Not Hairy: light colored hair on legs, countable hairs on chest (God would not have noted in the Bible that He can count the hairs on this man's chest--because it wouldn't have been very impressive....like grains of sand, etc.) and less underarm hair than I can grow. Yes, it's one of my downfalls. But don't judge...I can go DAYS without shaving my legs--and that's more surface area to cover. Give me the underarms any day.

Hairy: Enough hair on a man's legs that it can be seen from a distance. An amount on the chest that provides a pillow for the wife... and underarm hair that sometimes looks gross. That's "hairy."

Really Hairy: Now these are the men who have hair covering both their chests and their stomachs...enough hair on their legs that if you were a bug and started crawling through it--you'd feel like the Szalinski's from "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" when they ventured through the grass lawn.

Too Hairy: Now these guys have what I like to call "angel wings." The hair on their back isn't random enough for their wives to occasionally pluck with tweezers while the lean over to brush their teeth at night (like the "hairy" men exdure). The hair on their back is thick.. Waxing could be involved-- we're talking "Hitch." Did you see that movie? funny- you should. And finally, the hair isn't just on their arms...it has extended onto their hands. Basically, they'd be warm in lieu of clothing.

Baby Blah blah

13.5 weeks pregnant. It's still hard to believe we've got a developed baby swimming around inside of me. Maybe this makes me a bad mom, but that fact sort of grosses me out!

Saturday I celebrated my 27th Birthday. It was a grand day! Cousin Hailey drove down from Kentucky to celebrate and we had a party at Vicki Haley's house. It's my last Birthday without a little one!

We've had a lot of company this month:

Erica Hilden

Dave McGee

Rose McGee

Megan Dvorak

Momma Chil

Rosemary

Jenny Bormann

Lauren Ericson

Hailey Chapman

That's a LOT of sheet changes.

Next month we're looking forward to my parents coming! They're going to our 18 week ultrasound when we find out the sex of our baby. I still think it's a girl, and Will thinks it's a boy. What do you think?

This one's for you!

I am a very blessed girl. Lately, other than growing a baby-- I've been pretty worthless. Will has really stepped up at times and done lots of special, loving, helpful things for me. I told him I was going to write a post in honor of him; he said "you don't have to do that....but if you do- make sure you put a good picture of me!" I'll do my best to grant that request!

Things Will has done for me and LB (lil baby):

1. Grocery Shopped

- when he does this, he usually comes home with his version of the things I ask for...such as the kind of wheat bread HE likes, the kind of jelly HE likes, and weird fancy versions of juices. I have to laugh when I see it.

2. He rents movies in set of two.

- One terribly boyish, and one terribly chick-flickish! He lets me nap while he watches his movie, then provides (what he believes to be) very helpful commentary during my chick-flick.

3. He goes to the Drug Store

- There, he buys terribly embarrassing things, and prays for me that they will work. Thank you, honey!

4. He created a special "Feel Good" play list on my itunes.

-I now have a playlist full of classical music and hymns to listen to that help me when I am miserable. And, he lets me delete the weird songs he puts on there.

5. He calls my parents for me.

-When I'm sick and beg for my mom and dad, he calls them. They must think we're crazy. But he does it anyway.

6. Wrote a letter to LB

-The other day I found him writing a letter to our baby. He's in love with him/her.

7. And finally, he makes me tons of food and doesn't expect me to clean the house.

I love you honey.

(and now: for the picture I promised)

Here's Poppa Chil making his "to-do list."

4th of July & More

I've been pretty puny this week. Poor Will has had to see me lay on the couch and focus with all my might to keep my food down! Right now, my favorite foods are grapes and orange juice. Orange juice with Mango to be specific!

This picture was taken at my friend Courtney Craig's baby shower a few weeks ago. There are 5 pregnant women at church...well now there are 4! The girl in green delivered earlier this week. In this picture we're holding up our fingers showing how many weeks pregnant we all are. Add 2 weeks to those totals now :)
On the 4th of July we had some friends over after church and played "The question game!" We laughed super duper hard! Below is Dr. Tim. His family is gone at FC camp, so he came to hang out with us!
Courtney and Aaron supplied us with tons of funny answers, and the other boys were pretty rad too!

The picture of Abbey's ears getting covered is a result of someone writing an answer that had the word "fart" in it. Sorry mom, I had to type the word. You'll be ok ;)

Bun in the Oven!

While video chatting, we broke the news to my parents by Will coming into the screen shot wearing this! (And there was much rejoicing!)
We broke the news to Momma Chil by having her check her email while we were on the phone with her! She found this picture (us holding her gift!) "35 weeks til you're a Grandma!" (There was much giggling!)
We're very excited and thankful to announce that we're pregnant! Our baby is due Feb. 25th.

I am already feeling sick at times, but it's not too bad so far. I'm trying to keep my walking up and resist the urge to shop like crazy!

This is just the beginning of our baby adventure, and we hope to have many more!

I've heard that my brothers have already nicknamed the baby "Squid" and "Squirt." Such endearing names, don't you think?!

We have our 1st ultrasound mid July, and are looking forward to it!

A few nights ago we went to Baby R Us and shopped around a little...we found tiny tiny booties and bought them--they had puppy dogs on them :) I think our little one can wear them the first time he/she meets Timber! We also got some socks that said "ROAD TRIP!" because...."this baby isn't going to slow us down AT ALL!!!" (cue scoffers!)

Thank you for your prayers for a safe and healthy pregnancy!

4-H

Today Will and I volunteered at a 4-H event. Will judged some book thingies (can you tell I know very little about 4-h?) and I judged some photograph entries. I was a little nervous about the whole thing because I really don't know too much about photography, although I wish I did!

Luckily, little kids know even less than I do--so I was an alright judge I think! Some of their pictures were ones that I would love to hang on my walls. I think I would have loved 4H as a kid, I know Will did.

Pretty much all I know about 4H is this... Head, Heart, Hands, Health. Although I think one of the H's should be for hugs. ...because I sure have heard a ton of stories about 4h'ers huggin on other 4-H'ers....I'm just sayin.... ;)

HomeAgain, HomeAgain, Jiggity Jig

Early Monday morning, we landed in Birmingham. I'll be honest, it was a little bittersweet. Being on vacation with Will was totally wonderful. Not only was Alaska beautiful, but getting to see my family in WA and CA was icing on the cake! It was harder to leave this time, than the last time I visited.

Maybe that's because I realized how different my CA life is from my Alabama life. Maybe it was because my grandma's memory is getting so much worse and I feel like I'm losing her and missing her last few months... it just felt like life there is changing, and I'm not there with it. It was sad for me. Tonight I was thinking about it all, and the phrase "They all have pieces of my heart out there" came to mind. Who I am in Alabama is a little different than back at home. Here, I'm 26 trying to fit in with mostly 40 year olds, and out there I'm 26 trying to fit in with the single free-spirits. I guess either place I'm working to fit in, I just wish it was easier to be two places at once, ya know? Or POSSIBLE..haha, not easier! Life here has taught me to value being a home-maker more, and has helped me and Will grow closer together. People here have loved me and taken me in, for which I'm very very thankful! But I still miss my CA job, family, and friends!

We went to Stephanie and Steven's wedding. It was beautiful! Wonderful weather, beautiful decor, and happy happy people! After our wedding, lots of people said that they could "really feel the love." I felt that way at theirs. God had it right when he created marriage. Yes, it does take work-- but what good thing doesn't? Purity is so beautiful. I'm so happy for them!!

Off the Ship

Hello Friends!

Just a quick note to let you know that we're alive and have survived our cruise! We had a blast and have taken way more pictures than I'm sure you'll ever want to see!

We got off the cruise boat this morning at 8AM in Seward, AK. Spent a lovely day there, and met some great Christians who treated us like family :) This evening we rode the train up to Anchorage. It was a 4 hour ride, but BEAUTIFUL! We saw bear cubs and Dall Sheep climbing the cliffside. We're at a hotel tonight and are heading up to see the big mountain in Denali tomorrow.

California, here we come on Wed!

Continued prayers for our safety are appreciated!!

Leg 1 of Our Alaskan Journey--SEATTLE

Zac with his Build-a-Bear named "Ow-Boom!"
Will was NOT impressed by the gum wall in Seattle ;)
Everybody needs a Bell dress for a 10PM dance par-tay!
This boy needed a haircut! He refused the mullet, so I went with the Mohawk!
Don't we look like honeymooners?? Nope--1 year'ers!
Hey!

The 1st leg of our journey began on Thursday night with us staying over at the Craig's house in Birmingham. They were gracious hosts, and gave us a yummy breakfast and lovely drive to the airport in a GIGANTIC thunderstorm! I was not very sad to leave that weather! I was feeling a little sick, and got some medicine--so hopefully--PRAYERFULLY I stay healthy on the cruise ship :)

We're in Seattle now--well Monroe, to be exact. We're staying with Erica's family and having a blast! Last night we went to a show in Seattle called "Theater Sports" which is a lot like "Whose Line Is It Anway?" Will won the "Grand Prize" for best suggestion for a skit! (It had to do with a "bad date" he once went on.--no I was not the date-eee!) He won two free tickets to the show and SQUIRREL UNDERPANTS! Just what we needed...

Things we've done while in Seattle:

-Looked at the gum wall!

-shaved a head

-had a bedtime kid dance party to the Chipmunks

-watched a remote control boat race

-took Zac to his 1st friends Birthday party

Tonight I gave Josiah a nice mohawk, much to his dismay and am now trying to figure out how to "re-pack" all of the stuff that has climbed out of our suitcases in just two days!

We board out cruise tomorrow! We're pumped!!

It's Time

After gazing over the pics from this past weekend, reading Proverbs and looking at the scale--I've realized that it's time to stop being a sluggard! I know I'm not "fat" but I can definitely do better!

I've started exercising again and eating right! I actually enjoy it when I do it, it's just so hard to get started!

Today while washing my car in the nasty Southern humidity and heat...and also while on my too-fast paced walk I noticed a few things:

1. The birch trees in Alabama don't have as white of trunks as the ones in CA do. I wondered why?

2. Home-owners copy each other when it comes to landscaping.

3. The red fire ants are baaaack!!!

4. Two cops live in our neighborhood.

5. Before holding my hand over my head (water bottle in tow) I should make sure the lid is securely on.

6. Spilling water all over myself when I'm burning hot, ain't that bad!

7. Packing for a 2 1/2 week vacation is a daunting task....off I go!

Graduation Weekend!

This weekend we had a fabulous time up in BG. We stayed at Becca and Daniel Broyles house. They were awesome hosts! Not only did they leave towels, soap, shampoo, conditioner and razors on the bed...but also CANDY! (not that I needed it!) Becca cooked dinner for my whole crazy family on Friday night. It was very very yummy! Thanks Broyles!

Drake graduated with is Elementary Education degree and is leaving BG in a few days to work at a YMCA camp on an island off of Washington state. Fun.Fun!

Getting to see Elliot--Todd and Bonnie's son made me want a baby even more! He's so so cute, Will agreed! Jude is super cute too of course, but there's just something about a baby falling asleep in your arms...

Noah and Will took me, Hailey and Matt out to shoot some skeet. My record was 100% 1for1 :) I'm not a big fan of shotguns kicking into my shoulder blade :( Hailey was a great shot too!

Subbing

Since moving out here, I haven't gotten a full-time job, but I do substitute sometimes. This week I've subbed three times! This morning I was running late, and my dear Mr. C quickly made a hotdog for me to eat on the run....

I guess that would seem weird if I was going in at 7:30 like usual..haha...nope! Today I went in at 11, so it was lunch.

We leave at 6AM for Bowling Green. I can't believe we're going so early!! Think it'll happen??

Looking into buying tix to fly out for Morro Bay in August. Just can't stand the thought of missing that event:) We're taking donations...you wanna see us...throw money towards the hotdog, por favor!

Spring Cleaning

Real men clean bathrooms!

We're expecting company tomorrow night. My lovely husband, Mr. Childress was more than willing to help me get ready!

I subbed two days this week, and hadn't gotten around to my housework! Perhaps I'm turning into my Mom, but I did say "I have 3 jobs, can you choose one? Sweep, mop, guest bathroom..." Can you believe it? He chose bathroom

S-C-O-R-E!!

Now we're dying of cleaning fumes, but no complaints here!

We're expecting Mr. Childress's bud Charlie Nowlin to come through D-town and stay with us tomorrow. I asked Mr. C if I should wash the sheets in the guest room...they've been slept on once. He QUICKLY assured me that Charlie will be mightily surprised just by there being sheets on the bed! I guess that wasn't a prerequisite to having company in his "bachelor-days..."

In other big news, Will's truck hit 150,000 miles recently. Hopefully driving and taking pictures of your odometer isn't illegal in Alabama...I'm sure it's not. Everything is ok here. When babies are born, they give them their 1st very own shotgun. (don't worry-it's not loaded.)

Peace out.

Lovely Flowers!

I think I've discovered my green thumb! Out back we have flower seeds planted, as well as basil. I got the seeds from the dollar aisle at Target. Can't go wrong with that section. Will's been gone to Atlanta for a few days, so I've been working out in the yard. I love planting flowers and watching them bloom. Watering them is even enjoyable to me! All of these things are true blessings from God.

Our lovely little doggie chewed up his bed last night. Maybe he's sending us a message of how he feels about sleeping in the backyard. I thought it was funny/cute how he jumped up in view of the camera as I took the picture of his MESS! Just wish he could clean it up on his own...

This weekend we're going up to Bowling Green to see cousin Drake graduate from WKU. I'm very proud of him! It reminds me of 2007 when we saw Seth graduate :) It was the first quasi-date that Will and I had. We didn't actually start dating for another year, but that's where it all started for us! Now we're coming up on being married for 11 months!