Things have been busy busy busy! I think that's the norm this time of year.
The senseless murder of so many innocent educators and children really hit me hard on Friday. Sometimes I wonder why I long so deeply to bring a child into this broken world. But, I know that God loved us so much that He gave us free will instead of creating us to do exactly what He wants of us. And, He sent down His Son from Heaven to pay for our free will with his life. If that isn't love, I don't know what is. I just pray for those families having to live the unimaginable and for the health of this world. When we prayed The Lord's Prayer at church yesterday, the last few lines struck a cord with me... "deliver us from evil for Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever." And, I pray that my daughter will be a light in a world that sometimes seems so dark.
Anyway, I can't really think about that for too long because there's just no way to make sense of it. So, how about some belly pictures?
And some baby pictures?
I had my 24 week ultrasound last Monday, and little miss looks perfect! I labeled these for my mother in law because she was having trouble "getting her bearings" and figuring out which end is up. The glare doesn't help. They estimated that Greer weighs 1 lb 6 oz, and her overall measurements are in line with her gestational age. Her legs were actually measuring a week ahead, so maybe she has some hope of being taller than me! However, she looks like me. I never thought I'd be able to say that from an ultrasound, but her mouth is definitely my mouth. I am hoping she has her daddy's nose and eyelashes. :) Four more weeks until we see that sweet girl again, and I feel good that the low PAPP-A was just a freak thing and that she will continue to grow as she should.
I'm still having sleep issues, but otherwise I feel great. She is active, and I love it. I had my 24 week OB appointment and glucose test on Friday, and I was measuring 24.5cm (right where I should be) and am up 13-15 lbs (not exactly sure what my starting weight was but I'm guessing 130-132). I'm still doing CrossFit, though some exercises are becoming more difficult. The great thing about CrossFit is that every movement can be modified to work for the individual. So, instead of doing box jumps on the 20" box, I do step ups. For burpees, I just go to the plank position instead of dropping down flat. Instead of running, I row. You get the idea. I am noticing that it is becoming increasingly more difficult and uncomfortable to bend over. I was very busy Saturday cleaning the house, lifting things, etc. and my lower back was quite sore. I also notice that my feet get sore much more quickly than normal thanks to the extra weight. But, really, I am still able to do everything I've always done, for which I am very grateful.
In other goings on, we attended a fun holiday party on Saturday night, at which Matt took full advantage of his DD and paid for it most of yesterday. :) But, no rest for the weary as we had church to attend, our church membership interview (we decided to become official), and a family birthday dinner yesterday evening. Lucky him, he's off until 2013! We are having the entry way and halls up to the upstairs (basically, the only thing that hasn't been painted downstairs since we decorated everything earlier this year) and G's room painted today (and tomorrow assuming they don't finish). SUPER excited to get home and see it! G's room will be done today, and I got to see it getting started and it looked good. I was a little worried the wall color was going to be too dark (BM's Cape Hatteras Sand), but the furniture, bedding, and window coverings in the room are (or will be) all light, so I think it's going to look great. We're painting the "common areas" BM's Pale Oak, which is one shade on the paint chip darker than our kitchen (Sea Pearl), so I think it will be a good color.
Lastly, for the requisite Christmas decor photo (some of it anyway)...
Crazy to think we'll have five stockings hung by the chimney with care next year! We are hosting part of our neighborhood roving Christmas party this week, as well as a Christmas brunch this weekend so between work and everything else (including another Christmas party to attend this week and squeezing in time to watch the Miss Universe pageant Wed at 9 ET on NBC), I don't think I will post again before Christmas. So, to all of my beautiful bloggy friends, I pray that you are filled with the hope that the miracle of Christmas brings, when God sent his Son to earth to save us.
Oh, and in very superficial news, I got an iPad (and I love it). If there are any good apps I should know about, do share (pretty sure I have the main ones... Epicurious, Facebook, USA Today, ESPN, etc.). I will share with you three my aunt clued me in on that are awesome - Big Lens, Pic Collage, and Photo 365 (we'll see if I can keep up with that one when Miss G is born).
