24 Weeks.

At 24 weeks:

Size: Cantaloupe. About 10.5-11.8 inches. 12.7 to 20.8 ounces.

Major Happenings: His skin is becoming less translucent. Thank the Lord! A see-through baby might be a little strange.

What's Been Happening: Our last birth education class. We learned about newborn care, and it began to sink in that I have no clue what I'm doing!

Sleep: I made up for my glorious snow days this week. Hardly any sleep and much exhaustion. Plus we didn't have a night home all week and weekend! It was crazy.

Miss Anything: Being able to run my normal 3 mile route with Shannon without feeling like I will collapse or that I need to walk.

Food Cravings: Wednesday of last week I had a hankering for Cheetos and Swiss Cake Rolls. Once I ate a few, I was good to go. I'm surprised I haven't wanted TONS of something! Tyler craves more than me. At 4 in the morning the other day, he was wide awake and NEEDED some ice cream! I just told him he was weird and went back to sleep. haha! But he ate that ice cream, let me tell you...

Bellybutton in or out: Still in!

Wedding Rings on or off: On :)

Gender: Boy oh boy oh boy!

Looking Forward to: Our next checkup on Thursday. However, this COULD be the glucose screening test, which I'm not particularly excited about.

23 Weeks.

This week has been a whirlwind. Lots of good, some bad. I'll update you on Liam, and if you'd like to stick around for the rest, feel free!

Our baby boy is growing growing growing! I just can't believe in 4 months he should be here. He has been quite a source of joy and happiness through everything that's happened this week. I love laying down at night and feeling him move around. It's quite a miracle! He's quite the miracle. His nursery is coming along...I just can't wait to get the glider! Here's a little preview into some fun things we hung this week...oh the fun!

Saturday we had our very first Birth Education class at the hospital. It was actually quite informative! Tyler will act like he wasn't very interested, but he could tell you more about the birthing process than me after that class! He's an extremely excited daddy :) It honestly makes my heart happy! Not to mention, we established some important things after this class...such as- if I hold a finger up (pointer finger, promise!) at you while in labor, you better not say another word! ha! He also understands that "yes, dear" will be a lifesaving phrase for him that day. Hoping for a more laid back demeanor while in labor, but I doubt it.

Also, we got to park in EXPECTANT MOTHER parking at Babies-R-Us! I've been waiting for this day! I know people still look at me with funny looks and think, "has she had too much to eat or is she pregnant? Doubt I should say anything." I see it all over their faces! BUT nonetheless, we parked there because WE COULD! It felt quite liberating. I even had to document...

Yes, I took a picture of it...like it was THAT important :)

At 23 weeks:

Size: Grapefruit. About 11 inches. 12.7 to 20.8 ounces.

Major Happenings: He can hear loud sounds like dogs barking and cars honking. He can also hear my voice and heartbeat. His face is fully formed and just needs to fatten up...so I can kiss all over those soft round cheeks!

What's Been Happening: Birth education class. We hung Liam's paper lanterns, and I ordered some prints off of Etsy! Yay! We also registered at Babies-R-Us! That was so much fun!

Sleep: Because of snow days, I've gotten a TON of sleep this week! It's been awesome.

Miss Anything: Walking without a waddle. If you see me "penguining" it up, realize that my lower back is killing me! Just waddle with me.

Food Cravings: Nada.

Bellybutton in or out: IN. I'm telling you...it's creeping out slowly.

Wedding Rings on or off: On!

Gender: BOY. still! Yay! haha. Blue, orange, and gray are his nursery colors. So much boy fun!

Looking Forward to: One more birth education class, as well as seeing this boy. 4 months!


Looking past Mr. Liam, this week was filled with events. Tuesday a winter storm came, and our little town in South Carolina got a lot of snow! I mean probably about a foot! It was the craziest thing! Because of that, we were out of school Tuesday-Friday AND had a teacher work day yesterday (that I didn't have to work). A whole WEEK of unexpected break! Y'all. This was good for my body and sanity. I needed that rest.

We also had a ton of fun sledding with great friends! I loved being cooped up with Tyler, too! We slept, ate, watched the Olympics, and played board games. Yes, just the two of us. Don't judge. We also didn't get tired of each other! I miss spending the day with him already!

Saturday after our birthing class, we went to a basketball game at the high school. The dogs had been cooped up all week with the snow, so for 3 hours, we thought they could run around the backyard and enjoy the spring-like day. Well, then our day was RUINED. We came home to the horror of our gate being OPENED. They were gone! Immediately, I started bawling because I'm an overly emotional pregnant woman AND they're our babies! I love those dogs SO STINKIN MUCH! We think someone had to have opened the gate...I'm not mad at you if you did, but know you BROKE my heart. to pieces. I was so distraught, we had to file a police report! After filing a police report, searching up and down all kinds of streets in my car, posting all over social media, putting up "missing dog" flyers, praying, praying, praying, praying, and bawling my eyes out, THEY WERE FOUND!

I'm telling you, God had his great hand of protection over our dogs. Isn't it refreshing that He cares about things that mean a lot to us? Like our silly dogs (who we treat almost like humans). We discovered they were gone at about 4:30...Kyla was found at 10:30 by the police. As soon as she saw daddy (who went to her rescue), she ran straight to him with so much excitement! I was overwhelmed when she walked in the door! She laid on my tummy and slept...that girl was exhausted. At 1:00 AM, we got another call that Bella had been spotted! Tyler RUSHED out the door and rescued our other baby! Oh, it was joyous! The Williamston police became my heroes that day. THANK YOU to everyone who helped by spreading the word and looking with us! We felt SO incredibly loved. We are grateful for our South Carolina family!

Much needed snuggles after the "ruff" day.

The biggest event that rocked my world this week has been the news that my friend Olivia Greenlee is gone. She's gone from this earth, and I still cannot comprehend it. Her sister Mollie is one of my dearest friends from college, and it breaks my heart to know that she's suffering so deeply from this loss.

 My sweet Mollie :)

I was in Zeta with Sara, Mollie, and Olivia. All 3 sisters are incredible people. I'm so thankful for the memories I have of sweet Olivia. I can't tell you the joy this girl had. She always smiled. She had the best laugh! She enjoyed life. She loved others deeply. She was servant hearted. She was kind. She was beautiful. She loved the Lord. I just can't fathom that she's gone. Thankfully, she is now in God's GLORIOUS kingdom with Him! She gets to use her beautiful voice to praise Him IN HIS PRESENCE! That's where I find my peace and comfort. She had a relationship with Christ here on earth, so now she's with Him in Heaven! That's something to celebrate. Please pray for her family as they suffer with this loss and discover a new normal. Also, pray for Union and for God to have His hand over the whole situation. May He shed light in the darkness. May He cover us with grace as we grieve.

"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, til the storms of destruction pass by." Psalm 57:1

Dr. Dockery's News Release

Me, Mollie, & Olivia

Cherish the time with your loved ones. Hug your kids a little tighter. Let the small things go. Love God. Love people. I hope and pray you experience a sweet relationship with the Lord! Pray for the families involved, please!

22 Weeks.

This past week I've become very weary and exhausted. It's all I can do some days to make it to my bed!

I know you all have been DYING to know about the cockroach. Let me show you...

DEAD DEAD DEAD :) My hero didn't miss him this time, and he's outta my house! Hopefully he didn't leave any friends or family behind. I rest more easily calling it a "he..." 

I've only made it up to 17 on Flappy Bird. A 3rd grader took my phone yesterday, and after a couple of tries he had 91 points on the stupid game. Kids are quite amazing these days! And by the way...if you didn't download it after my post last week, too late! The developer took it off the App store. He was gaining too much fame too quickly. So strange! Count your blessings. Now you won't throw your phone against the wall.

This weekend we had so much fun taking a crew of 57 (yes, you heard correctly) to WinterJAM. It was awesome! 10 Christian bands for $10...I'm there. For this event they have General Admission, so you're not guaranteed a seat. 2 of our adults almost got lost in the sea of people hoping to get in the doors, but thankfully we all made it in before they turned people away. It was a close call. The place was PACKED!  We got to chat with a couple of Tyler's buddies from his home church- Colton Dixon and Russ Lee. Both are awesome godly men! It was great to see them!

Tyler and I left the concert and drove straight to Gatlinburg...yes, Gatlinburg. As in a 3.5 hour drive the same night as that concert. Luckily, Tyler loves to drive, so I slept the ENTIRE way there. We were able to spend Saturday with family and celebrate my father-in-law's birthday! It was so great to see them! As always!

In other news, THE OLYMPICS STARTED! I wish I could sit on my fanny all day long and watch them constantly. Sadly, I have other adult responsibilities that prevent this from happening. So, here's to hoping these next few days are as snowy and sleety as they say they'll be! I love to hibernate :)

My favorite Olympic events to watch are figure skating, curling, and speed skating. We were watching figure skating last night and Tyler pointed out the fact that we couldn't even do what they do on dry land. Those people are legit! And their muscles. I mean...if I had as much muscle mass as those women, I could do amazing things too! 

This morning I've had lyrics to a song running through my head...

Who is this King of Glory

Beautiful and matchless one

Who is this King so holy

every knee will bow at his throne

Jesus the Lamb of God

Savior and King

YOU ALONE are worthy of our praise forever

YOU ALONE are seated on the throne of heaven

Glorify Glorify YOU ALONE!

We sang this in church yesterday, and I can't get over how beautiful the words are! God alone is worthy of our praise. EVERY knee will bow at his throne. Whether that's when you die or when Christ comes back, you will bow at His throne. He offers such a beautiful gift of love and grace to us. He sent His only Son to die in our place...for our filthiness. Jesus rose from the grave and is seated by God...He wants a relationship with us that we may have eternal life with HIM! That's just amazing. The closer I get to meeting Liam, the more I catch a glimpse of the unconditional love God has for us. I mess up so many times, but he still loves me.

Thankful.

At 22 weeks:

Size: Spaghetti Squash. About 11 inches. 1 pound!

Major Happenings: His eyes and lips are developed. He's developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums! He now has fine hair covering his whole body. My little woolly mammoth :)

What's Been Happening: We received our crib mattress and some hanging paper lanterns I'm putting up in the room. Our crib skirt is also being sewn! Exciting! I'm loving the nursery so far!

Sleep: I've been sleeping very lightly, and I go to bed way too late. I'm definitely sleep deprived right now.

Miss Anything: clear skin. I've had some friends on my face lately. ALL worth it!

Food Cravings: One night I had tacos made...yes, already made. Tyler came home-I told him he has 2 options! We can eat those tacos or go get HIBACHI!!!!! Needless to say, we got hibachi. I've wanted it again ever since...

Bellybutton in or out: IN. 

Wedding Rings on or off: On!

Gender: Blue. I'm hoping to get some cutie patootie bowties for Liam :)

Looking Forward to: Feeling stronger kicks and movement. It's been the coolest thing in the world to feel him buzzing around in my belly!

21 Weeks.

We're moving right along. For 6 weeks our little man has been measuring a week ahead of schedule, so he's actually 22 weeks in measurements, but that's not officially the word yet! So, as of now, we'll go with 21 weeks. The doctor said he could be going through a growth spurt...we shall seeeeee!

We had an incredibly busy week and weekend. We attended basketball games of our awesome students, ran tons of errands, worked on the nursery, attended an event for my school, threw a Superbowl party, etc. I'm worn out this rainy Monday morning!

Something a little unnerving happened this weekend, as well...I had my peace of mind stolen by a wee itty bitty creature known as a cockroach. Who knew something so small could create such a monstrosity of anxiety in me?!? While I was making dinner, I opened my spice cabinet, and this THING jumped out of the cabinet onto me (almost)! Of course, I screamed for Tyler. My hero comes to my rescure with MY shoe to smush the hideous creature...and misses. Those boogers are FAST! This NASTY BUG has yet to be found or killed. Therefore, I walk into my kitchen every day armed and ready for an attack. By now, he's probably made his way into my bed. HEEBIE JEEBIES. yuck.

To add to the weirdness, yesterday I found myself Googling "How to remove super glue from your hands..." This is the cheap girl's way of reattaching the bottom of her boot back to her boot. Normal people may just go buy new boots. Oh no, not this girl! We're having a BABY. Ain't nobody got money for that! 

And this is the kind of mom this baby is inheriting. One that will probably find a way to super glue the stinky nasty cockroach to her hands. Let's not even talk about my new life-ruining obsession (download it, you'll understand) with getting my high score on Flappy Bird past 11...Oye!

We do have a more exciting announcement than cockroaches and super glue...

The name of our sweet baby boy is...Drum roll, please...

William "Liam" Maddox Clem

That's right! Liam :) Sounds like a soccer player to me! His daddy and great grandfather are both named William, so this distinguished family name is sticking around. We'll (and you'll, I suppose!) be calling him Liam (Lee-um), though!

At 21 weeks:

Size: Pomegranate. About 10.5 inches. 12.7 ounces.

Major Happenings: His digestive system is prepping for the outside world!

What's Been Happening: We ordered our glider on Saturday! I LOVE it already! It won't even be here until April, but it's SO comfy, and it will be a great addition to little man's room! I will wear this thing out! Also, announcing his name...even though we've known since about week 5 :)

Sleep: My dreams are getting weird, vivid, and nightmar-ish. Thankfully, I wake up to a much better reality!

Miss Anything: Feeling skinnier. I feel like I look funny in everything I wear! All for a good reason.

Food Cravings: I've still been snacking on those yummy Oreos...no real cravings yet!

Bellybutton in or out: IN. However, I see more of its depths than ever before.

Wedding Rings on or off: On.

Gender: All blue!

Looking Forward to: Picking out fabric for Liam's crib skirt, changing pad cover, and other fun projects I've got up my sleeve! The nursery is coming together!!!!