25th Week

Well ladies and gents, I am starting my 25th week, or my 7th month, or my 3rd trimester. However you want to look at it. :) The point is, this pregnancy has really FLOWN by, literally. I think part of the reason is that I have had to work through most of it. With Natty, I had both June and July off, because of a track change, and then worked 3 months, and was off the month she was born.

Let's see...what's going on with Nathan.

• He's roughly the size of a papaya - at my last visit, we found out he's was weighing in at just a pound - my next appointment is April 1st.
• Nathan's face is fully formed - BOY! We cannot wait to see him in July. He's going to be just as gorgeous as his sister.
• Nathan can hear noises - he moves the most when he hears me reading to Natty. Not sure which is prompting the movements more, my talking or Natty's squishing.

I just love to say that Nathan will be here before we know it. And I also love that people ask me how Nathan is doing. It just seems so personal and real. He is actually here. And he sure loves making his presence known. He is one active guy! I'm so glad he is so strong.

We finally came up with Nathan's whole name. It is pretty cool, and is an excellent name to grow up with. As I had mentioned before, Nathan means "God provides." We've decided that his middle name will be Joel. Joel means "Jehovah is the Lord." The Bible instructs us to train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it - from Proverbs 22:6. We truly believe that Nathan's name will be a constant reminder, not only for him, but for us that we serve the Lord, Jehovah, who is our Provider. Isn't that incredible? No matter life's circumstances, we have One who provides for us and sustains us.

Natty still loves her baby brother to pieces. I doubt she realizes complete that there is an ACTUAL baby that will be here in 3 short months. However, I love her child-like love right now, that seems so unconditional. Each morning, she comes and sits with me in bed, and as we wake up for the day, she kisses daddy, kisses me, and HAS to lift up my shirt and kiss "baby" - as she calls him. She has tried Nathan, but it just doesn't come out yet. That's ok. I am just thrilled that she knows Nathan is there.

Natty, my little brainiac, learns something new each day. I cannot wait for her to start saying complete sentences. She is starting to put words together, and that has been pretty amazing to watch. She loves animals, and loves being outside. I can tell we will be doing a lot of outdoorsy things when the kids get a little older. She absolutely loves it outside, and begs to go out NUMEROUS times a day. It is just a matter of time because she learns how to put her shoes on all by herself. She almost has it down, not quite though. When she isn't explore the outdoors, she is engrossed in her books. She loves reading and being read to. We pick up PILES of books after her each day. She goes to sleep with a couple of her favorite books, and she wakes up and reads a couple of her books before she calls for either of us. She definitely is a smart girl, and we are so incredible proud and blessed that we have been entrusted with such an amazing daughter.

In other news, no news! We haven't heard if our offer has been accepted. So we wait, trying to be patient, knowing that whatever the outcome, God will provide and He knows what's best.

We also have our appointment at Harvest on Saturday to be counseled on Natty's dedication. I believe the day we dedicate her will be one of the most important days of our lives. It's a daily reminder to me that she, first, belongs to the Lord. It is also publicly committing to training her up and teaching her about Jesus. I am excited and scared all at the same time. What an important task we have ahead of us. =P

Well, hope you guys are having a great Tuesday. I am looking forward to Tim being off tomorrow. Wednesdays are his only days off (and Sundays), and I am looking forward to being home with him one more day before I go back to work on Monday. I cannot believe that the next time I go off track, Nathan will be making his debut. How incredible!

Good Night everyone!