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!