Cabinets

So, the saying is that there is no rushing perfection...or James! We have been working to sand down and stain our cabinets for months now. I am posting pictures of the middle product. We finished sanding over the Christmas break and now James is working to stain everything, which I have to admit, does take longer than I expected. You see, if you are doing two coats on each door and on the inside and outside of the door-that's at least four days right there just for drying time. Who knew? The color is going to be beautiful. All James has left to do is to hang the new crown molding, apply a clear coat, and stain the top of the cabinets! Go James!!

Here he is!

Okay, so for those lucky enough to be reading the blog, here are the most current belly shots. Our camera broke at Thanksgiving and these were the first pictures I took after I dug out my old digital camera. (I haven't used it since our Honeymoon-that's how old). At Christmas Aunt Darcy gave me a lecture on only gaining 25 pounds, but honestly, I blew past that eight weeks ago...also my Big Guy said to me "You can't get much bigger than that" and Gammy kept repeating "He could come early, he's a good size" and I was so frustrated becasue I honestly don't feel that big at all. Looking at these pictures, though, I now know what they're talking about!!

Courtney 32 Weeks

Courtney 34 Weeks (New Year's Eve)

Some commonly asked questions to me are:

When are you due?
What's the sex? What's the name?
Are you going to stay working?
Can I touch your belly?

For one, if you are a complete stranger, all of these questions are completely invasive, private and frankly, none of your business. My family and close friends should know all of the answers to these, so I get really frustrated especially when we get to the part about me working or not. So, to answer all of the above: I am due on Feb 19 (according to the Dr), it's a boy, his name is Connor James, I will stay working at least until December 2010 at which point, I trust God will point me in the right direction, and NO YOU CAN NOT TOUCH MY BELLY!!!

Other news on the pregnancy front that I want to remember is that I LOVE Mexican food, spinach salad with dried cranberries, walnuts and blue cheese, any type of juice, my night time bath, trying to pry James' hands off of me (which is getting harder and harder by the day), and feeling my son roll around in my belly. I swear I am going to have bruised ribs when he comes out. My hands have started swelling on long walks and my feet are staying swollen, so I can't wait to remember what it feels like to have normal ankles again.

I have gained close to 40 pounds now and definately know what I am going to do different next time around. No first trimester gain (I still blame it on our cruise). So, that is all for now, enjoy my hugeness!!

Sammy says "Hurry up Connor!"

Christmas was great. It was definately an experience. Ashley graduated (!!!!!!!!!!), Chase got engaged, and well....there are a ton more things, but you know....I only have so much time to write!

We got lots of fun toys and clothes for Connor. Sammy is not sure what to do about all the changes going on in the house. Gammy bought this rocking panda bear and we put Sammy on there to "test it out" and it actaually sat there for a photo op. I'd say I am officially ready to become a mom. GET THIS THING OUT OF ME! I haven't loved being pregnant, but it hasn't been terrible. It is a means to an excellent end. Here are some pictures of his crib that James put together today!

Delivering Naturally

I love my son more than anyone could imagine and I haven't even met him yet. He wakes me up with his kicking and he always likes to show off his behind when I'm not paying attention to him. I think he's going to like my mom's game of "booty getter."

James and I have been kicking around the idea of delivering naturally for a while. It seems like the obvious choice, but leaves me with added anxiety about delivery day and what labor is going to be like. Laurel Krey (one of our friends from church) and her husband Tim talked to both of us about the good, the bad, and the ugly about delivering naturally. She did it with her son and says there is no other way! There are a few things she said that just really stick out in my head:

"Why would you spend your entire 9 months of pregnancy doing everything right: not drinking alcohol, caffeine, taking over the counter medications just to drug your child up in their last hours in your womb?"

And what really hit home was "This is the coolest thing I'm ever going to do in my life. I want to experience it."

God has created all women to be able to bear and deliver children. That is what I believe is our primary purpose on earth. And, as I have always said, God never throws anything at you that you can not handle. I am currently reading "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer. So far, I have learned that cesareans are the most common major surgeries in America today. And, almost 95% of women who deliver in a hospital get an epidural. That is just crazy stuff...where as only twenty years ago, those numbers were at 5%. My mom delivered my sister and I without an epidural, but she did have a drip of medication to help relieve the pain a bit. Which I think is the better option rather than making all of your parts numb so you can't even feel when you need to push!!

I absolutely can not wait to meet our son and find out his personality. Little Connor James...hurry on up....we're ready for you!

Here in Your Presence

I love this song...you should look it up and listen...so amazingly true. We are ALWAYS in His presence. Nothing else matters but Him and His glory. Praise Jesus!

Found in Your hands, fullness of joy
Every fear suddenly wiped away here in Your Presence
All of my gains now fade away
Every crown no longer on display, here in Your Presence

Heaven is trembling in awe of Your wonder
Kings and their kingdoms are standing amazed

Here in Your Presence, we are undone
Here in Your Presence, Heaven and earth become one
Here in Your Presence, all things are new
Here in Your Presence, everything bows before You

Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way

Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious,
matchless in every way

Pregnant Courtney

"Mom, I've gained almost 30 pounds!" says Courtney. "Courtney, I gained almost 80 with your sister...there's more to come," Leigh Ann replied.

Great...I have a hard time accepting weight gain, but at the same time have no remorse for eating Whataburger and ice cream. It's always been my favorite. So, here I am now seven months and thirty pounds into the pregnancy. Weight Watchers will become my friend again February 16, 2009. James wants me to be a "hot mom." It is definately going to take some time to lose baby weight and get back into my size 6's but it is going to be my goal and I will get there eventually!

The Zoo

Sammy the Great

Leo and Stewart: The brothers from another mother

How could you not love these animals? I just don't know...they love their mom though. I think they are all scared of James still becasue he stomps around them and gets mad at the silliest things with them. For instance, the other day, we left unfolded laundry in the baseket on top of the dryer. Perfect lounging spot for a cat if you ask me. So, what did Leo do? Laid in all of the fresh laundry and got his hair ALL over it. I thought it was cute. Who cares if we have to rewash it? I'm going to be the one doing it anyway...

I love how their personalities are all different. Leo is the lounger. He sits right next to my head when I am on the couch. He really likes to put his head against mine and cuddle. You can do ANYTHING to him. Pick him up, throw him over your shoulder (thanks Taylor and Lauren!)...I mean ANYTHING. He reminds me of the Suttons and I will NEVER get rid of him because I want to have a piece of the family wherever I go.

Stewart is different: he is the restless, independent cat. He likes to wander. The only time he really likes to cuddle is in bed (which we have to wait for James to go out of town and he climbs on in the bed with me!). Other than that, he is whining if he's inside. Seriously. Or scratching on the window. He just loves being outside.

Sammy, oh my Sammy. He's wonderful....I have had him for almost eight years and I can't get enough. He will always be my number one man: he has been there with me through thick and thin. Through high school, college, then he let me get married. He loves me! He also has a new trick with James...pretty funny...he will start growling anytime he sees James, seriously. Mom started with him early on and James has just carried it through. James won't admit it, but he does love Sammy.

I wouldn't know what to do without my zoo...I have always had tons of animals and couldn't imagine life without them. They are constant companions and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.