Week 18.

We are getting closer and closer to finding out what this little bundle I'm carrying is! I am so excited. I'm going to start off the new year with plenty to do. I feel like I've just been on pause (baby wise, everything else is in fast forward) until I know what this kid is.

In January I am going to clean up my craft room and get it more situated, then start turning that space into a baby zone! I already have a ton of clothes from a local ladies garage sale (both boy and girl!) so I will pull out the appropriate stuff and start washing and hanging stuff in the closet! Another major project is making the crib. The plan is right now to make a crib for the little one. It will be able to be used for all the future kids as well!

 

 This is kinda what we are looking at. We think it will be cool to have a crib made for the baby that is made from cedar from his/her Gramps place. It will be a lot of work as well, but a labor of love!

 I will also attempt to make bedding. Probably wrangle my mom to help. There are so many tutorials out there that I think it won't be too hard. Not sure exactly what I'm going to do bedding wise, but will figure it out along the way. Sometimes Pinterest can be a blessing and a curse. So many ideas and options. What to do... what to do???

As far a baby progress... We are the size of a bell pepper now! About 5 1/2 inches from head to bottom! Muscle flexing is going on and plenty of growth spurts. I feel like I'm really starting to grow as well. 

I still feel wonderful! I am so blessed and definitely don't take it for granted. Most the time I don't even remember I am pregnant, until I look into the mirror!

Hopefully my chalkboards will improve with time. I just kinda quickly do them. 

Hope everyone has a great week!

Mandie and Lil' Mac

Week 17.

I know I haven't been doing a weekly chalkboard update, but it doesn't seem like a whole lot is changing with me. {as far as appearance goes}. I do feel like he/she is growing a lot. Last night we were sitting in the living room watching TV and I tried sitting real still to see if I could feel Lil' Mac move. I think that I've felt him move in the past, but it also could have been wishful thinking and dreaming that I felt him move. Well last night I am pretty certain that I felt Lil' Mac moving inside of me. It is a pretty cool thing and I hope that it continues to pick up!

We set a date to find out what Lil' Mac is.... drum roll please.....     

DECEMBER 31

I thought that it would be a great way to bring in the new year!! {Plus that's right at 20 weeks!} When I told Bobby when we were going to find out he was excited, but also mentioned that that was the day it all started for us! {I believe you can go to the page about me and read our story!} We had known each other, but sparks flew that New Years Eve 5 years ago!! I am so excited to find out and give this kid a name!! 

I took a horrible picture last week {Week 16}

Week 16

 I finally got around to doing another board! I had thought about doing one at Week 14 or 15 when it was an apple, then he was an avocado... now at week 17 we're the size of a turnip! I love this little turnip inside me!

My husband got home right when I was getting done taking my picture. I'm not sure if he was making fun or if he's just plain silly, but I had to capture it on camera!! What a goof!!

Maybe he's gaining the baby weight!! Ha!

Someone asked me if I was having cravings. I said I wasn't, but my husband was! A few weeks back he was scouring the fridge looking for pickles. He found some pickled okra and pickled jalepenos. I say go for it cause I don't want that stuff!!

As far as an update on my pregnancy!

I stole this from other blogs I've seen it on! 

How far along? 17 Weeks

Total weight gain: 9ish
Maternity clothes? No, loving leggings, though!!
Stretch marks? none yet!
Sleep: Wonderfully! Not getting up in the middle of the night much yet!
Best moment this week: Getting to feel undeniable baby movement!
Miss Anything? I would love to have a soda, but I didn't drink sodas much before anyways!!
Movement: Like Gas!
Food cravings: I just keep saying junk food! But I have been eating at least 2 {sometimes more} Cuties a day!!
Anything making you queasy or sick: No. Just have ugh moments every once in a while. Need to keep food in my belly!
Gender: ??? We're on team boy!!
Labor Signs: No.
Belly Button in or out? In, even though my husband says it will pop out any moment!
Wedding rings on or off? On. It's been cold, so they are loose!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy & EXCITED to say the least!
Looking forward to: Dec 31! Giving our sweet child a name!!


So that is it for this week! 
Be Merry!

Mandie

Finishing Up Thankful November!!

I believe I left off at Day 27.

Day 28!
I am thankful for family and spending time with them... and great food.
We made our way to my parents Wednesday night and then got up and started making preparations for dinner! Bobby and Tyler (BIL) got up before the sun and went duck hunting! The rest of us cuddled by the fire, made homemade hot chocolate and then got busy with all the fixin's! I love all the yummy Thanksgiving food!

Day 29.
I am thankful to be the aunt to the sweetest girl on the planet!
Miss Gracen Kate is the most adorable thing ever!! I could spend everyday with her! My sister had to work Friday morning, so I got to keep Miss G while she went to work! We had the best time feeding and playing outside! If you want this girl to be your friend, just say "outside"! She'll be right there!!

Day 30.
I am thankful for in-laws.
We left my parents Friday night and headed to where Bobby grew up! It was good getting to see that side of the family and catch up with them! We also got to drive around in ole Rosalea, Bobby's old Willys Jeep!

P.S. This was not taken over Thanksgiving! We actually wore our jackets this year!!


Hope everyone else had a wonderful thanksgiving!
Here's to celebrating our Savior's birth! Got to do some decorating!!!

Merry Christmas!!
Mandie and Lil' Mac

Off the grid.

I know I have been MIA for days 22-26 (27 including today). I am going to try and sum them up all in one. One reason I have been "off the grid" is due to the fact that we've had NO POWER! Yep! For 4 days now we have been with out electricity.
Friday (Day 22) we were out of power for a couple of hours, but it came back on quickly. That day was rainy and cold, but once the power came back on I got out stuff to make homemade hot chocolate with whipped cream and enjoyed the evening by the fire {a propane fire, but it gives the same feel!}.

I am thankful for electricity!


Saturday (Day 23) we woke up to white on the ground. No, it was not snow, but ice! These past 4 days have blurred together, but we still had power that day. We went and fed cows, enjoyed {except for the teams I was going for really sucked it up!} some football and simply just hanging out on a cold wintery day! One blip of power, but had power most of the day.

I am thankful for wintery days! {We don't see them too often around here. It's mainly just cold and windy!}

Sunday (Day 24) we woke to no power! I was planning on doing all this stuff around the house with the cold front, like baking Christmas cookies and sewing on some projects, but things changed. We had to scramble a little trying to find stuff to sustain life. This prego lady can't live too long with out a bite to eat. We got a camp stove going and got some grub cooking. It has been like camping {in your own bed} with candle light and kerosene lanterns and camp stoves. It's been a fun adventure. It is good to know that we can make it with out electricity!
Best of all, we got some good moisture!

I am thankful for rain!!

Monday (Day 25). Still no power. We took cows hay and made homemade donuts! Just enjoyed a day full of cabin fever! After 2 days already of being in the house, we had some cabin fever. Driving around helped a little!

This is just a pole that wasn't down. I heard there was over 1000 poles down!

The cows made the crunching sound on the ice! It was so cool to hear!

Homemade donuts!

There was an inch of ice on everything.

When you don't have power, you beat the socks off your husband in checkers!

I am thankful for being able to "rough" it for a while! Time with no distractions!

Tuesday (Day 26). Everything is melting! Still no power. Got a generator hooked up to the freezer and fridge! And watched a little TV!
My sister had a birthday!! Happy Birthday Mikkie!

I am thankful to have such a wonderful sister who is not only family, but a great friend!!

Wednesday (Day 27). I am thankful to be back at work today and to be headed home for Thanksgiving after work! So ready for some good mommas cooking and time with family!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

M

Thankful November. Day 20 & 21.

Day #20.
I am thankful for friends.
I have one particular friend that I am so thankful for today! And it is her birthday!! She means the world to me and even though we live many miles apart, space can't separate our connection. She is a wonderful woman of faith a challenges me in my walk with the Lord! She is funny, out going and you just never know what might pop out of her mouth! She is a blessing!
I love you Jessie Pope!


Day #21.
I am thankful for energy!
I think that second trimester has set in! I'm feeling better already and I have renewed energy! It is so nice to to have to prop my eyes open all day. I wasn't that sleepy before, but so tired and exhausted with no motivation to do anything. Now I am having more energy to get the things done that I need done!!
Yay SECOND TRIMESTER!!!


Happy Thursday!

M

Thankful November. Day 19.

Day #19.
I am thankful for my grandmother.
I totally forgot and this should have been yesterday, but my grandmother turned 98 yesterday! Happy birthday Grandma! She is one tough cookie. It still blows my mind that she is 98 and super strong! She's like the energizer bunny! Just keeps going and going!! One thing I love most is to hear her stories of when she was young and newly wed and the things that they did. A lot has changed in 80 years!!

M

Thankful November. Day 16-18

Day #16.
I am thankful for the Fall weather.
This has been one of the strangest years I can remember. It is probably not like this for most, but if you live in Texas, you'll know what I'm talking about. We have had actual seasons. That's right! Spring felt like actual spring, summer is hot as usual, but now we are experiencing fall! I'm loving it. Enjoying cool mornings, cool evenings, sipping hot cider {since I can't do coffee right now!} and cuddling on the couch. Most of the time we go from 100 degree weather to freezing over night. No warning, no time to aclimate. Most thankful for this cool FALL weather! And for the rains we've had with the Fall!!


Day #17.
I am thankful for Sunday Fun Day!
This is stripping {cotton} season and that means that I get up, make breakfast, pack Bobby a lunch and then send him out the door. He doesn't return until dark 30 or later if they're on a roll. It's all part of the job, but I don't get to spend much time with him {or talk to him on the phone since he doesn't have service where he's been :( } Anyhow... Today {Sunday} has been a great day of getting to enjoy each other and the things we love. We did a couple chores around the house this morning, then after lunch went and fed cows, played with the dogs and then moved some equipment from one farm to another. It was good to get to spend time doing that together and working on our OWN things for a change! Love my love and fun Sundays together!!


Day #18.
I am thankful for weekly updates.
I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before {I'm probably I have, though}, but once I found out I was prego, I got on baby center to find out due dates and all that. I just put in some dates and then it gave me the info I wanted. Now I get weekly email updates with my babies progress. It is the best part of Monday's, by far!
Just since I love seeing what my little one is up to week by week, I will share this weeks update with you!

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb. Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him -- a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb. In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches -- about the size of a lemon -- and weighs 1 1/2 ounces.

 

 

It is so fascinating to me to see how fast they grow and develope. It's a definite miracle and there is DEFINITELY A GOD!!!

 

 

Happy Update Day!!

 

M