Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all! I know you can't see it, but the little stocking I am holding has Claire's name on it. Pretty cute.

I am in the middle of week 26- meaning that I have 1.5 weeks left before the third trimester. Though I feel pretty good, sometimes I really feel it! I am dragging and not sleeping as well. We are officially on the double digit countdown to Claire's due date now! Yes, I still have quite a bit to do, but I am eager for her arrival.

I am having those crazy pregnant woman worries and concerns. I try to keep them from rising to the surface for others to see- sometimes I am successful. It is amazing how helpless one can feel to help a being that is growing in her body! All I can do is pray that she is healthy and doing well.

Love,
Linds

jolly.

It's week 25 and we have bedding! The beginnings of Claire's room are really coming together! We don't have all her furniture yet, nor is anything on the walls quite yet, but coming along.

Michael felt Claire move today. I am thinking that she punched him in the hand about 3 times. She isn't upside down, but will be any time now. We are only 2 weeks out from the third trimester.

Otherwise, I have lightened up about money- some and hope to continue! It will be fun this year to open things that are for Claire, but not nearly as exciting as Claire's first Christmas, this time next year! I am eager to meet her and continue to pray that she will be healthy and thrive!

Love, Linds

Six months down, four to go.

Here it is- 24 weeks. Can you believe that I have come this far, but still have 4 months to go? Who says pregnancy is nine months- the math clearly indicates- 40 weeks=10 months!

God bless those surrounded me! I am riddled with anxiety about maximizing my time with my newborn. (Yes, I know this is months away at this point- I did not claim to be rational!) First of all, please pray, even when I am uncomfortable and close to due, that Claire stays in all forty weeks! I don't want to go back to work until next August! Her due date is right on that borderline. I am also praying for no inclement weather days that would have to be made up in the spring! I guess I just want as much time at home with her as possible and to be able to nurse. Not too much to ask, right? Of course, I know full well that I am being the typical Lindsay, where I worry about things I can do nothing about. Claire could come as early as the second week of March and still be full term. (Claire and I have already had a pep talk about her not coming early, but she is my child- so God only knows!) The doctor said she measures right on with her due date, luckily- for whatever it is worth.

Speaking of the doctor, he said she is measuring just right and growing. He also said that I am doing a great job of not putting on excess weight. At my last appointment, her heart rate was 137- about 10 bpm less than last time, but apparently fluctuation is normal.

Yeah, so if you do feel like praying- I would greatly appreciate prayers that I can have (without costing a ridiculous amount of money), my full leave in the spring, that Claire is healthy and continues to thrive, and that my emotional stability increases from zero to any number above zero! (must start somewhere!) Also, I think we are all praying to have milder weather than what is predicted!

Thank you all for reading and your support. I'd love comments, if you have time to leave them. They really do bring me joy. Can't wait to update you with more pics and things more joyful than my worry!

Love,
Lindsay

Intrauterine Claire meets the gold friends...

Had a brief visit to Tulsa 12/6. Thought I would share the pic of my two oldest friends seeing me and meeting my bump. Corrie is on the left and Christine is on the right. Too many memories...oh Lord- the memories we have!

Sneak peek...

Of course, the nursery is not nearly complete, but here is the crib and a glance of the 23 week belly. Not the best picture of me, but you get the idea. Michael did the assembly.