10 weeks and the fair

This weekend I passed the 10 week mark, which means the baby graduated from embryo to fetus! Way to go, baby! I am starting to feel better and better, although my energy is next to nothing these days. This is probably more due to the 52 nine-year-olds with whom I've spent recent days, rather than solely being pregnant. If you're interested, here is what babycenter.com has to say about what is going on at 10 weeks:
"Though he or she's barely the size of a kumquat — just an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, he or she now has completed the most critical portion of his or her development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his or her body rapidly grow and mature. His or her vital organs — the liver, kidney, intestines, brain, and lungs — are now in place and starting to function (although they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy). Each day, more minute details — including tiny fingernails, toenails, and peach-fuzz hair — start to appear on his or her body. His or her fingers are now completely separated; the arms bend at the elbow and curve slightly; the hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over the heart; the legs are lengthening; and the feet may be long enough to meet in front of the body. He or she is busily swallowing amniotic fluid and kicking his or her legs." ****(They had "she" and "her" written throughout, but I just had to go in and add some "he" and "his"...)


Also, this weekend Kevan and I got to go to the Wilson County Fair, just outside of Nashville. It was one of the most fun things we have done in a while. I was giddy the entire evening. I loved every second. It reminded me a lot of the West Texas Fair, which was most likely the basis of its appeal. We enjoyed roasted corn on the cob, good barbecue and cream soda, chocolate and sprinkle covered strawberries on a stick, farm animals, camels, dancing Indians, a ferris wheel ride, and perhaps the highlight of the evening...the Wilson County Fair Clogging Competition. The 5 and Under (youngest) and 26 and Over (oldest) divisions were by far the most entertaining. We took some video, and if I can figure out how to get it on here, I will definitely share some of our favorite cloggers with you! For now, enjoy the pics...

yum...


yum again


i only talk to blue ribbon winners


now that's an Indian


ricketty ferris wheel

story time

It's been no secret to most. I have wanted a baby for as long as I can remember. When I was 5 or so, I was given a doll that looked just like a real newborn. I named her Rachel, and I LOVED her. My mom told me that she was about the size I was when I was born and I thought that was the greatest. I would dress her in my actual baby clothes--bonnet, shoes, and all. I distinctly remember hearing the story of the Velveteen Rabbit for the first time and applying what I had learned from the story to my time with baby Rachel; if I loved her enough, she would become real. I saw that as truth with all of me, and I am pretty sure my cousins Danna and Mindi shared my belief in regards to their dolls, which only further made me believe. I was absolutely convinced that I would wake up one day to a real baby sleeping in the white and pink cradle in which Rachel often inhabited. Or sometimes I would fantasize about frantically looking for Rachel and finding her nowhere, only to hear the doorbell ring, followed by my discovery of a crying Rachel in a bassinet on our front porch. I am not sure if my brothers ever knew of this...if so, I probably would have never heard the end of it.

One day, something happened that led me to believe that Rachel's transformation had begun. I found a faint, purplish-blue mark on her arm. Another girl my age might have been disappointed at such a finding--her doll, blemished, most likely by her own doing. I, however, knew it to be nothing other than a real bruise. It had to be. And instead of being sad for my bruised baby, I was thrilled, excited, hopeful. Of course, no real baby ever appeared. The story of a rabbit that I had held dear turned out to be merely a tale. The result of an author's imagination.

So now I find myself here, twenty years later. Having long since forgotten about my hopes for a real baby Rachel, a real baby I am getting! In what I am positive is the Lord's perfect timing, Kevan and I are blessed to be expecting a baby around March 22nd. I am a little over 9 weeks along and am doing well. I have so many thoughts and emotions, but as you can imagine, I am excited beyond belief. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for this precious being growing inside me. And, also, prayers for us as we prepare for the little cutie.


"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

nervous...

I set this blog up a few weeks ago. I actually have something to blog about now (more about that later!), but yet I still haven't wanted to do it. I am intimidated by the Blog. I love reading other people's, but the thought of having other people read my own...it is pressure. But being the sentimental being that I am, I have decided that the next few months and years of my life are going to be ones I will want to remember and remember well, so if not for anyone but myself, here I go.

Side note...about a year ago or so, my brother Matt decided to start a blog for me, and by "for me", I mean he set it up, named it, and wrote the entire thing. It was pretty ridiculous, except for the cute title he put on it (thanks, Matt)...that is the ONLY thing I have taken from my "first" blog. If you'd like to check it out, because although ridiculous, it is pretty funny, go here.

Today is not only my dad's birthday, but also my oldest brother, Paul's, as well!! Happy Birthday to two of my favorite guys in the whole world!!
My dad is absolutely amazing. He has so many talents and abilities, yet is likely the most humble individual I know. He is truly genuine. Something he has told me before that I think about all the time is to always remember that above things or money, people are always more important. He lives his life that way, and I am so blessed to have a man like that for my very own father! I miss him terribly and need him to come visit me, ok? Love you, Daddy!

Paul is a really great brother. He is a lot like my dad. He is amazing at what he does and is such a great husband and father. Being the oldest, Paul is really good at making sure we are all taken care of. When we lived in the same town, I knew that if I called him, he would drop anything for me. (I am sure that even now, living in different states, he would do the same...) I remember one time in college I got really sick, and Paul left work and came to my house to find me laying on my bathroom floor. Despite the college girl drama, he helped me to the car and drove me to the doctor. What a guy. He has given me one of my most favorite nieces, Macy, and another favorite is on the way in November. I absolutely cannot wait to meet her. Love you, Paul!