38 weeks

Size of baby: Not a 100% sure, but about 2 weeks ago the doctor said that Lyla was about 6 lbs. She is definitely going to be a bigger baby:)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: No longer disclosing this information-haha. But the doctor seems pretty satisfied with the amount that I have gained and it is still in the healthy rage, so there ya go:)

Maternity Clothes: Yes, but I refuse to buy any more clothes, so I am at the point where I am wearing the same thing almost everyday, which even that doesn't really fit me. You can usually catch me in a light summer dress because they are so comfortable and I don't have to worry about the elastic band around the waist!

Gender: It's definitely a GIRL! LYLA RAE GRAVES:)  

Movement: Lyla has always been an active baby and I know that I will for sure miss those feelings of her moving around in there. Last night, however, she really out did herself. She has never been a big mover at night, but last night she would not let up. I have never in the whole pregnancy felt her move as much as she did last night. I do not know what she was doing in there, but I am telling myself that maybe she is wiggling her way down to the birth canal:) The doctor told us on Monday that we are at a -1 (0 is station and 4 is her completely out) So, she has definitely dropped, and I can definitely tell. If you ever wonder why a pregnant girl waddles, especially toward the end, this is the exact reason!!! I feel like she could "fall" out at any moment-even though I know that's not possible. 

Sleep: The past few nights have been a tad better, but lately I have been suffering from horrible acid reflux at night. I have changed up my diet a bit, and that has helped some. I still sleep with a million pillows and my saving grace-the heating pad. I haven't had to take tylenol for my back lately (knock on wood) Could be because she is a little lower and giving my upper back a break. 

What I miss: Mainly miss just being comfortable. This summer heat is hard to bear, but luckily I wont have to endure it much longer. I keep the house around 60 degrees because even inside I am blazing-poor jeff has to sleep with a heating blanket at night because he is so cold. haha. Not too much longer babe!

  

Cravings:Fruit has been a constant throughout this pregnancy. I also love cereal (cereal of the week has been lucky charms) I usually make a run to Hardee's to get curly fries and a sweet tea at least once or twice a week, and I will confess to a small meltdown when I wanted Arby's and Jeff couldn't go pick it up for me last week because he had to make it back to work for an appointment (Arby's is about 30 mins away). But, we went this week and finally got me a roast beef sandwich-it was yum yum good!

Symptoms: HOT FLASHES, acne, swollen feet

Best Moment This Week:  Going to the doctor and having her tell us that we are one step closer to having Lyla here and that my body is doing everything that it should. I am so thankful for that-Right now, we are praying that when I DO go into labor it is so unbelievably obvious so that we can officially let both sets of our parents know and they can start their own journeys here to be with us. 

God is so good!

ps. Jeff is so sure that she will come this weekend. He is actually scaring me at his premonitions. He is even installing the car seat today (which we have put off doing because we use the exterra weekly for storage for Quail Run Ministry, so the seats are always left down) But, he so desperately wants her to come this weekend and really believes that she will...we shall see:) I have been having some contractions this morning, but nothing consistent yet.

Emotions, Feelings, Melt Downs.....yes, I am pregnant!

This pregnancy has definitely been filled with many emotions and thankfully my wonderful husband has seen me through every one of them. Last night, a whole new emotion hit me! Last week, I was still stuck at the 1cm mark and the doctor recommended that we try a few things to help little Lyla along. One of those things was walking. So, Jeff and I have been trying to get out at night (because goodness knows, it is waaay too hot to walk during the day-especially in this body). We came in and I immediately got back to  working on our thank you cards (yes, they are coming-sorry friends for the delay) I sent a text to a my sister letting her know that we had a doctor's appointment today and that we had just come in from strolling around the block trying to speed this process up-AND THAT'S WHEN THE MELT DOWN BEGAN!

For the past few weeks, I have thought of nothing more than getting this baby here. I am uncomfortable in the heat, I am tired of this body, and I am just down right ready to meet my little girl! However, last night, it really hit me that WE ARE ABOUT TO HAVE A LITTLE GIRL! I called Jeff into the bedroom (he was washing dishes-a lot of dishes-we don't have a dish washer, so we have to hand wash them and they can very quickly pile up!-Since he was helping me out, it made the melt down even worse. )I just sobbed and sobbed to him that it wouldn't be just US anymore and how I didn't want things to change between us. I know that I am such a lucky girl to have found such an amazing husband and I don't want one bit of what we have to change. It just really hit me that while we are patiently waiting on Miss Lyla, I really need to soak up this last bit of Just Jeff time. We go back to the doctor today and I still hope that we are progressing along, but for now, I am just going to enjoy every second I have with the most wonderful husband in the world:)

Almost Full Term

This Friday, I will be 37 weeks pregnant carrying out sweet little Lyla. I have had so many emotions these past few weeks as the time is definitely getting closer. Will I be a good mom? Are we really ready for this? Will this pregnancy EVER end? ha.

We had another doctor's appointment this Monday and I am still only dilated 1cm. (I say "only" but I am really grateful that my body has already started preparing for her to come-several friends I have talked to went right up until they delivered never even dilating) While her due date is still about 3 weeks away, we are just so anxious for her to get here. Aside from the obvious of just wanting to feel good again, I am simply ready to meet my daughter. So many mommies have told me that they miss being pregnant-just the amazing blessing of feeling their baby move and having them actually be a part of you! So, for now, I am really trying to embrace these last few weeks that I have with her in my belly.

Jeff has been gone to children's camp this week-summer is always a crazy time for youth ministers! Every time he is away, I am reminded of how blessed I am to have him by my side through this whole thing. He is so good to me and Lyla. My heart aches for girls who don't have a supportive man to guide them during this time. I couldn't imagine doing one bit of this without him. It is funny, because he has already started nesting a little bit and he is very anxious to have her room ready-which it is-but he wants batteries in everything and everything in a place. It's cute watching him get ready for the most important roles of his life-besides being a husband. I am so thankful that he returns today-he will not have to leave again until after Lyla is born:)

We had another beautiful shower this past Sunday that our church family gave us and the amount of gifts and love for this little girl was unreal!!!! We are so thankful for everyone who has loved on us, given to us and prayed for us during this amazing time.

ps. I also want to note that Diggs tore the head off of the diaper cake the second we brought it home. Someone is having some feelings.....ha!

A little note to my daughter:
Lyla,
What an amazing journey this has already been with you. I can already tell that you have quite a personality. You already are a very active child. The doctors have told us that your heart rate is high and it is hard to get pictures of you, because you are constantly moving around in there. I guess that is no surprise seeing who your parents are. (I hope you don't think we are too crazy!) I do want you to know that we love you so much already! We have been praying for you since the day we found out you were going to be ours. One of your favorite things right now is sticking your booty in your mommy's ribs(or anywhere else for that matter) You are also a fan of strawberries and sweet tea. Anytime I eat or drink one of those two, you do a jig in there. :) So many people love you already and most importantly Jesus loves you!!! We are so ready for your arrival!!!!  See you soon:)
Love,
Mommy

A year and a half later....

About a year and a half ago, my best friend Lindsey left her amazing life in Georgia to surrender to the call of missions in Tanzania, Africa. She and her husband, Nathan, hadn't been there more than a year when they found out that they were expecting a precious little girl! Lindsey had Zoe (which means life) in January of this year.

Lindsey and I have been best friends since 7th grade. We never went to the same high school or even the same college, but we still remained the closest of friends. I cannot possibly explain how much I have missed her DAILY but even more than that, how proud of her I am for being obedient to God's calling for her life. She has literally left behind EVERYTHING to spread the word! While they still have another year and a half to serve, they were allowed a 3 week vacation back to the states and I got to see her yesterday! (I also got to meet her precious daughter for the first time!)

We went to Target since we don't have a target here in Quitman and obviously she doesn't have one in Africa. Since it was a super target, I took the opportunity to grab a starbucks...

                                                                Zoe needed one too:)


We (our friend Adrienne and her beautiful daughter was with us as well)  all did some serious damage in Target! I could hardly shop because I just couldn't put Zoe down! I fell in love immediately!

Once we spent our life savings at Target, we headed over to Panera (Lindsey actually picked...I didn't argue! I am ALWAYS craving Panera!) We were all doing ok emotionally until Lindsey pulled out gifts for Adrienne's daughter Cambell and Lyla. She had picked out some beautiful sweet clothes for both girls and had also brought stuffed animal monkeys back from Africa. (my camera died soon after, so once the other girls post pics, I will also post pics of this precious gift!) Needless to say, I couldn't keep it together any longer. We all started BALLING! I mean, this was quite a scene. A lady sitting near us overheard and offered to take pictures for us.

I love how we all have girls (well, I almost have my girl!) and that we are all one stage above each other. Cambell is a little over a year old, Zoe is about 6 months and then there's pregnant me! It is so awesome to see God recreating a new generation of best friends:) Lyla went crazy yesterday and I just know it was because she sensed her besties near. :) At one point I was holding Zoe and Lyla kept kicking me. I think she wanted so desperately to come out and play!

Anyways, yesterday was an amazing blessing and I am so thankful God gave me the strength to drive 2 hours away to meet these girls for the day. I wouldn't have traded a second of it for anything in the world. Lindsey does have to go back in a week and a half and will finish out this term and will get to come home next Thanksgiving. Please join me in prayer for her and her family as it will be difficult for her to have to leave again. She is so selfless and such an amazing woman of God. I am more than blessed to call her my best friend!

35 weeks!!

It's funny. Everyone told me that the beginning stages of pregnancy would fly by, but the end would drag on miserably. For me, it has been quite the opposite. I cannot believe that we are only 5 weeks (or so) away from meeting OUR DAUGHTER! I am officially out of school for the summer and am trying to concentrate on getting the house ready for sweet Lyla's arrival. It is so nice to be home! Last week, cabin fever set in a little bit, so I am trying to stay busy helping out with things at the church and hanging out with friends -It could be a while once Lyla gets here before I am able to do these things again. We have our next appointment on Monday and I am hoping to get a good update (which they have all been good updates so far-so hopefully it will continue to stay that way!)  Here's an update on the pregnancy at 35 weeks:

Size of baby: As of our last appointment she was about 4 lbs. I was 10 lbs 11oz and Jeff was around 5 lbs, so we shall see who she favors on the weight side of things-I am hoping her daddy wins that one. Delivering a 10 lb baby does NOT sound appealing to me. 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Too much...haha. Let's just say I am 5 lbs less than my husband's weight...:(

Maternity Clothes: Yes, but I refuse to buy any more clothes, so I am at the point where I am wearing the same thing almost everyday. Oh well!

Gender: It's definitely a GIRL! She already has more shoes and clothes than I do....:)  

Movement: Oh goodness...She moves all the time. People have asked me if I can figure out her personality yet  and I can tell you two things just based on the way she moves: 1. Baby girl is very very active. It doesn't matter if it is morning or night-she moves all the time. I do not feel her kicking as much anymore, but the rolling around is constant. 2. Girlfriend is stubborn. She has definitely turned already and very much likes to stick her fanny in my ribs. Just last night, I felt like her little tush was coming through my stomach and I hollered for Jeff and he tried to talk her into moving so She "wouldn't hurt mommy anymore." Did she listen? No. The fanny in my ribs thing usually happens several times a day. I get a kick thinking she is going to take after her mama in the hips and backside area! Sorry, Lyla! (baby got back) haha.

Sleep: Some nights I will sleep great (well not pre-pregnancy great, but great for 35 weeks) other nights, I DREAD the night time. My usual routine is taking 3-4 tylenol for the back pain (yes, it's that bad), falling asleep with the heating pad on (which I usually turn off on my first bathroom trip of the night) and getting up 2-3 times to use the bathroom. I sleep with 3 pillows under my head, two little pillows under my belly and one behind my back. 

What I miss: Being able to go places. I have been having a hard time with missing out on things because I can't travel or I can't do the activity. My best friend Lindsey is home in the states for 3 weeks-can't travel to go see her. My brother in law is getting married this weekend -can't travel to Texas to see them. It's hard to sit back and miss out, but I have to keep reminding myself that I have to do what's best for Lyla.  I also couldn't go to the river last weekend with Jeff and friends from church because I couldn't walk the mile to the river or get in a boat.

  

Cravings:Fruit has been a constant throughout this pregnancy. I also love cereal (apple jacks mainly), any breakfast food really,  :) I also constantly want things I can't get here in Mississippi. Starbucks, Panera, Zaxbys, you get the idea....

Symptoms: Hot flashes, acne, swollen feet, exhaustion

Best Moment This Week:  Finishing up her nursery and feeling like "ok, we could actually bring her home now" :)

Lyla Rae, we love you so much and are so ready to meet you!!!