Shhh...

Sierra is growing up so big and so fast, it is moments like these that I remember how truly blessed we are to have her and try to savor every single second.

Our little sleeping princess....hugging her baby doll as she dreams!

Special Day!

Although some people don't necessarily find an important need to remember the birthday of those that have passed on before us, I believe it is an important part of the (my) healing process.

There has never been a day since Daniel has been gone that I haven't thought about him. Even if it is just a passing thought because I will see something or hear a song that reminds me of him; or the occasional thoughts that I experience, wishing I could tell him about how God has blessed me. I would love to be able to share with him the happiness I have in my life now, the joy that Sierra is, the 2nd little miracle growing in my belly, my schooling and how well I am succeeding in my classes - preparing for graduation in just a few weeks, how blessed my marriage to Brian is, things like that. All things that I know he hoped and prayed for, for me. Aside from him being my husband, people often forget that he was my bestest friend for 6 years; when that goes away, it is easy to feel a void in your heart.

Regardless of all that though, there are a few days every year that have a special place on my calendar, today is one of those days. Today, Daniel would have turned 31 years old. His last birthday that we celebrated on this earth was so very special and I will forever be thankful for those memories.If there is anything I can share with you today, it would be to cherish every moment you are given. When you are told that your life might be cut short, everything changes. Daniel shared with me often that his prayer was to live until he was 30 years old. He wanted to hold his own child and see his younger brother and sister get married. None of these prayers were answered on this earth, but Daniel had a way of really cherishing the moments that he was given. He loved life and he was thankful for the 27 years that he did have.

I pray that we all will live life in a similar way and always be thankful for what we do have, especially those of us that are healthy, happy, and still have a chance to LIVE - No matter what age we are!

Happy Birthday Daniel! I know the celebration in heaven is better than any celebration we could ever imagine. Enjoy Jesus for us!!!

~Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!~

~2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV~

Peek-A-Boo....Where are you???

Peek-a-boo...Where are you???

HERE I AM!!!!

Just a quick update to let you know that we are doing great!!! Sierra is enjoying many days during the month of November being at home with Daddy, due to his schedule and vacation dates. Our dear friends Courtney and Jeremiah have moved to San Diego for the next 8 months while Jeremy (her Hubby & his Daddy) is working there. That means Sierra will be staying with our wonderful friend Linda and her son Cameron on the days that she can't be with Brian. We are so blessed to have friends that are willing to look after our precious girl while I finish up my student teaching.

Speaking of student teaching, I am on the home stretch! I have spent the past 2 weeks in my new placement - a 4th grade classroom - and the transition has been wonderful. My CT is super nice and helpful. Besides having to get used to all the different procedures and the higher level of thinking from 1st to 4th grade, I seem to be adjusting well. I am looking forward to teaching full time over the next few weeks and enjoying many more learning experiences. Praise God, there is a light at the end of the tunnel - only 6 weeks left!!!

I must admit though, as awesome as this experience has been, and as much as I love teaching...I can't wait to get back to more of this....

and this...

24 Week Check-up

Well, since I am almost 31 weeks pregnant, I thought, why not post about my 24 week check-up?!?! Gosh, this kid is already getting slighted!!! LOL! Hopefully as she gets older, I can explain to her God's plan of me being pregnant during student teaching and she will understand my lack of blogging during that time! :)

Either way though, I do want to document for memories sake - so here goes my 24 week check-up!

All and all, everything was looking good at 24 weeks. The baby is growing strong and Mama is doing well. The 24 week appointment brought a sad realization to me though as I walked into the hospital and up to the midwifery center ALL BY MYSELF!!! If I can be frank on here, and it is my blog, so I think I will....the lame hospital ban because of the ridiculous H1N1 "media" scare has made it so that no one under the age of 18 is allowed in the hospital, unless they are the patient. So, since Sierra can't stay home by herself, Brian too has to miss out on all the appointments. To say the least, this is very disappointing to us and we are praying that the ban is lifted before the end of February. However, after a discussion with my midwife at this 24 week appointment, that is probably not likely to happen. :(

She did however discuss with me about doing a home-birth, but Brian and I are just not comfortable with that at this point; so instead we will take it all in stride, hospital ban and all. If

that is the worse that happens, we are blessed and won't complain too much. :) Then again, I

seem to be an emotional pregnant women these days, so we will see!

Other than the discussion of the silly hospital ban and my family not being able to attend the appointment, we did talk about my dizziness / lightheaded-ness that seems to be plaguing me this pregnancy. When taking my blood pressure - which was 88/58 - she joked by saying if she wasn't looking at me breathing, she would be wondering if I was even alive with that kind of pressure. :) Needless to say, my blood pressure has always been low and this pregnancy has really made it tip, I mean, dip the scales! She is certain this is why I have been feeling dizzy and even fainted back when I was 16 weeks prego (did I ever blog about that? Who knows!). Tara, our midwife, told me there was really nothing to be done, just try to sit down and relax when I

feel faint and continue to drink lots of fluids.

The only other stats to report at 24 weeks is that I gained 2 pounds, finally on the plus side! This makes me 3 pounds up from my pre-pregnancy weight. A very healthy weight gain, if I do say so myself! Also, the nausea and vomiting finally subsided around 22 weeks, so no more throwing up for me! The baby's heart rate was a healthy 155 bpm and my uterus is measuring a wonderful 25 cm! God is good and the baby is doing wonderful! We are so blessed and really can not wait to meet our precious girl!

Here are some pictures of my growing belly at 24 weeks. Don't you just love the stretch marks Sierra adoringly provided for me? Thankfully I have none to account for during this pregnancy and I hope it stays that way!!!