"To everything - turn, turn, turn/ There is a season- turn, turn, turn/ And a time for every purpose under heaven"

How the time flies…and the days just get hotter and hotter. It’s so fun being pregnant when it’s 108 degrees like it is today!!! But the journey is almost over and the best is yet to come.

Another busy few weeks has past since my last blog. July 31 I had another amazing baby shower, this time in Scottsboro. The theme was “Welcome to the Nest, Charlotte.” This is perfect because I have a bit of an obsession with birds…my mom is the same way. The club house where the shower was located was decorated beautifully with flowers, baby pictures of Ben and me, delicious foods and bird décor. I once again ate my weight in yummy treats. My favorites were precious bird cake party favors my wonderful sister-in-law made. I took about 5 home and they lasted all of a few minutes!!! There are pictures on Facebook for any who are interested. Thank you so much to all the women who made the shower possible. Everything was stunning and I had an absolute ball! Best of all was being surrounded by so many women who already love Charlotte and are praying for her welfare. It was a reminder once again of just how awesomely God provides for and loves His children. How thankful I am that He led Ben and me to Riverside. We could not ask for a more wonderful and supportive church. And we are both so happy that Charlotte will grow up surrounded by such a strong body of believers.

After the shower we had a few days break and then Thursday we headed down to Birmingham for the night. Friday morning we headed off to UAB for another appointment. This time Ben’s parents were able to come, which was great because Mary had not seen an ultrasound since I was 20weeks and Mike never had. There were a few issues that arose during this time. Charlotte dropped from 16th percentile for growth to 8th (she weighed 4lb 5oz at the time). Anything under 10 is considered abnormal, so they did a few tests to make sure everything was alright. First they took pictures of the amniotic fluid which looked fine. Then they checked her “practice” breaths. Babies get their oxygen from momma, but towards the end they start practice breathing. To pass the test they have to “breathe” for 30 seconds in 30 minutes. Well, little Miss Charlotte was breathing the whole time. I think she is making sure her lungs are quite capable of crying!!! The last test was to check for movement. This took awhile but she finally did move enough to pass. The weight made me a bit nervous but the Doctor assured me that everything looked fine.

The other issue which arose was the fact that Charlotte was and still is breached. Unfortunately, this means a c-section which has now been scheduled for Aug. 30. I am extremely happy to know the date of Charlotte’s arrival. However, I am not looking forward to a c-section. I am well aware that women go through them all the time, but it is going to be tough trying to recover while my baby is in the NICU and wanting to be with her all the time. It might sound silly but I continue to pray that if it is in God’s will she would flip, and that if it is not in His will, that I would peacefully accept the surgery. I have been doing a few yoga type moves to encourage her to flip. If only you all could see me…I look hilarious in these awkward positions with my bulging belly!!! I have also tried putting ice packs around her head because I read that sometimes they move away from the cold to warmth. Oh, the lengths mothers go to!!!

I am trying not to get too stressed and focus on the wonderful reality that in just 19 more days Charlotte will be here!!! Plus, now I not only get to use the line “but Honey I’m pregnant” to Ben but I also get the added “but I have to have surgery.” Hahaha. Lately he has been saying “You don’t understand how hard it is, I have a pregnant wife at home” and thinks it is SO funny!!! But really, Ben has been great through this whole process. He has listened as I have rambled on about pregnancy symptoms, birthing fears, baby toys, and everything else that a new mom to be is surrounded by. And best of all he has kept me laughing!!! I really can’t believe we only have a couple more weeks with just the two of us. It is scary and exciting all at once. When I get nervous about how a baby will change our relationship I think about getting married. So many people are scared to get married because they wonder about the changes, but in my book, being married is so infinitely better than dating it is hard to describe. Yes, there are tough things about it, but the good FAR out weighs the bad. And getting married was following God’s plan for my life which always reaps blessings. I remind myself that there are changes ahead and hard times, but like marriage, I know that having a child is part of God’s plan for my life; therefore His grace will be boundless through it all.

Thanks to all of you who have prayed for our family throughout this process. It has meant the world to both me and Ben. We love you all and thank God for placing you in our lives. I will continue to keep you all posted as the date quickly approaches. We do not go back to UAB till the due date barring any complications, but I still have checkups in Huntsville. I’ll try to let everyone know how they go, and I will be sure to tell you if she does flip!!!