the beginnings of the baby book

A while back I got a card in the mail from Rory's mom. She had included all sorts of pictures of Rory when he was a baby and when I looked through them, I could envision similar shots from my family's albums. So this weekend I started to play, scanning all of her pictures and matching them up with pictures from my babyhood.

It's so crazy to be in this place, not knowing who our little life is, but aware that when this baby arrives he or she will come with their own personality, their own temperament, and reflect bits and pieces of Rory and me. There is so much awe and wonder filling our days lately, as we talk excitedly during this season of anticipation.

for such a time as this

I remember when my hips appeared. I was probably 13, and I didn't like them. I thought they made me look fat. And I remember my mom trying to tell me that curves are beautiful and besides, one day I'll have a baby and then I'll be so happy I have hips because it will make delivery that much easier.

I think it is so funny that my mom brought up childbirth as a reason to appreciate them...an event that was still 16 years off in the future for that little 13 year old.

But you know...she was right. I am feeling healthy and strong in this pregnancy, and I suppose I've got my hips and my thighs to thank. And I'm pretty sure I've never thanked my thighs before.

***
Well, this week I am 24 weeks along, which with my own math, since I find months and weeks confusing, I am considering 6 months. A lot happened in the last four weeks. Just look at this picture at 5 months compared to the one above!

At Hyvee on Tuesday the cashier excitedly asked me when I was due, and I was so happy to tell her because she was the very first person who didn't know I was pregnant to inquire about my belly...

We've had some seriously hot days this week in Nebraska, but I'm doing well at staying hydrated, staying inside as much as possible and enjoying so, so much this growing, kicking bump on my belly that seems to stick out a bit more each day.

so long, insecurity.

I finished Beth Moore's latest book 'So Long Insecurity this weekend. Now, I have to say, it is rare for me to find a book that I loath. Usually I just enjoy a writers efforts and add it to my 'like' list. But then there are some that I love. Love. LOVE.

This book by Beth Moore is a new favorite, hanging out in that LOVE category with a few other life changers. Beth writes very conversationally, so the book zips by...she uses lots of good stories and examples and has very strategic steps for overcoming this debilitating condition that cripples all of us from time to time.

The whole time while reading it I was making my list of who I would pass it on to. But at some point I became attached to this book and I'm not ready to part with my own copy now. It's too marked up. Plus, I have a feeling I'm going to need to keep this one on the shelf as more of a quick reference for the rest of my life.

So head on out and get your copy. I had to take the cover off of mine because Beth's picture was a little large for my liking, but the content is incredible. Enjoy!

It's Quilt Auction Time!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, gather round.

It is almost time for my favorite day at Carol Joy Holling Camp. If you live ANYWHERE close by, you really should put this date on your calendar and join us.

On July 31st, we will auction off well over 300 quilts that the fine people of Nebraska have made. The proceeds go to the camp. The day has this whole old fashioned feel about it...people use their bidding paddles to fan themselves, there's all sorts of hootin' and hollerin' when the bidding gets competitive and the auctioneers are just plain entertaining. You're met at your parking spot by a golf cart for a ride to the auction site, and all day long people are coming and going.

You might remember my elation after this day last year. You can read about it here.

Now here's the deal. I'd recommend coming for lunch, because lunch is always a good thing. And I would recommend clicking this link for a lovely look at all of the quilts to be auctioned off. If you click on the name of the quilt, a larger image will appear. It's nifty. There are still quilts pouring in each day, so they're not all up on the site, but many are. If you find a quilt you love, then you should try to be here when that quilt is being auctioned off. Quilt #1 will be auctioned at 9:00 and Quilt #399 will be auctioned closer to 5:00.

My personal pick: Well, you'll just have to come and see. Because I L,O,V,E love it. But I do have a limit that I may not bid over, set lovingly by my budget-smart hubby, so we'll just have to hope no one else finds it as stunning as I do...

I hope to see you there!!!

ha!

Have you seen this before? I just googled pregnancy pillow, thinking I should maybe invest in a body pillow to support my belly while on my side and this image came up! Hysterical! Now, I know I'm not the most comfortable sleeping lately, and I know this lady looks real comfy, but this picture seems a bit extreme...and it left me with a few questions. Like, where does her husband sleep? And how excited is he about this body pillow? And where do you store this thing between pregnancies?!!

I was just looking for one of those super long pillows I had in college as a bed decoration. Wonder where that thing went...it would be perfect. Until then, I'll be completely fine with my other smaller pillows. I don't know, maybe these things are awesome...I just can't imagine Rory letting this thing come into bed with us...