30 and 31 weeks

How far along: 30 weeks

How big is baby: the size of a cucumber

Weight gain/loss: more than 25lbs not sure exactly, and don't think I want to know!

Maternity Clothes: YES! and even those feel as if they are getting snug.

Stretch marks: No thankfully.

Sleep:  still TERRIBLY!! Getting worse and worse! 

Diet: Still lots of sweets and hamburgers!  Terrible!  I really need to do better with eating healthy! 

Gender: Boy! Brantley Cleve

Movement: YES! It's still my favorite thing.  He has gotten big and stronger!

The belly: BIG!  

What I miss: sleep, clothes fitting, running...

Symptoms: Heartburn/indigestion, hips hurting, swelling, emotional and really I could name a few more but even I feel they are inappropriate to share here!

What I'm looking forward to: I'm looking forward to getting organized!  I feel like nesting is in full swing!  I am also very very ready to hold Brant!  I am getting eager to see him!
Best moment of the week: The baby shower was the best moment!  It was so fun to see everyone and celebrate Brant!

31 weeks!

How far along: 31 weeks

How big is baby: the size of a squash

Weight gain/loss: I'm not weighing.  :)  The doctor will at my next appointment, but I am not interested!  I know it's bad!

Maternity Clothes: YES! They are snug! 

Stretch marks: No thankfully.  I check daily too because I feel my skin stretching. 

Sleep: still TERRIBLY!! Getting worse and worse!

Diet: Still lots of sweets and hamburgers!  I am working on it.  I have been craving fruit some too.  

Gender: Boy! Brantley Cleve

Movement: YES! It's still my favorite thing. He seems to stay to one side so my stomach is usually lopsided!

The belly: BIG! I don't think this answer will change. 

What I miss: sleep, clothes fitting, running...

Symptoms: Heartburn/indigestion, hips hurting, swelling, emotional and really I could name a few more but even I feel they are inappropriate to share here! :) These haven't changed maybe gotten a little more intense this week. All so worth it though!. 

What I'm looking forward to: I'm looking forward to Ike's side of the family shower!
Best moment of the week: I can't think of just one moment.  Ike and I are just eating up getting to feel him move.  Every time Ike goes to hug me he immediately puts his hand on my stomach to feel Brant, and I love it!

Thursday we are 32 weeks!!!  WOOHOO!!!  and I will post the nursery soon.  It's not a totally completed project, but it is close.

Baby shower #1

Ike and I feel extremely blessed that people have been so sweet and thoughtful to us!  One of my mom's good friends and her daughter (my childhood best friend) threw us a shower!  They really went above and beyond with the shower, and we were extremely thankful. We were definitely showered and feel so humbled by how much people care about us and our baby boy.  We are so thankful for everyone who came to help us celebrate Brant's arrival!

Krystyna and Ms. Debra did a wonderful job on the decorations and food!!!

I left her out of the collages, but I definitely wanted her included, my mamaw!  Brant's great-grandma!

I tried to get pictures of everyone, but looking at them I know I missed several.  I just wanted Brant to be able to look at this and see just how excited people were about his arrival.  I also want him to know that he is a miracle (all babies are), but waiting and praying for him has allowed his daddy and I to see and better understand the Lord's perfect timing and will for our lives!  We can not wait to see what God does in his life!

More family fun

Christmas day there was terrible weather!  All week the weather had been reporting possible tornadoes etc..  But we had planned to drive up and spend Christmas night with Amanda and Jason so we did just that!  It was so fun just hanging out playing games.  Then after the games someone I'm not sure who suggested we make a trip to Ihop at 10pm!  I know that is not late to a lot of people, but I felt like a college kid all over again!  We are doing good to still be awake let alone out and about after 9!  :)  But it was worth it we had a blast.      

This was the year Chris and Rose do Christmas in Baltimore with his family.  They couldn't make it for Thanksgiving because of Rose's classes so they came after Christmas.  They were here to ring in the New Year with us.  There was lots of eating (especially candy) and game time.  I have to say we were all mostly well behaved this time.  Here are a few pictures from their visit...

Our attempts at a family picture were not so great......

 The best we could do...

Amanda and Jason even joined in on the fun one night....I feel blessed that mine and Ike's families like each other!

My absolute favorite picture...

Mine and Brantley's first Hunt with Daddy!

Ike always tries to talk me into going hunting with him when we are home.  Usually I remind him that hunting involves two of my least favorite things the cold and waking up early!  This time for some reason I thought it would be fun (it was an afternoon hunt though), and actually it was one of my favorite things we did while we were home.  It was just me and Ike up in a tree sitting quietly listen to the squirrels and birds.  Very peaceful.  Now it was an adventure climbing up the ladder stand 7 months pregnant and walking back in the dark with huge boots and my recent balance issue, but it was worth it!  We didn't see any deer so I may never be invited back, but hopefully that was the first of many trips.  I know it was the first of many trips for Brantley.  His daddy was already talking about how he can't wait to take him.

27 and 28 weeks

27 Weeks

How far along: 27 weeks

How big is baby: The size of a rutabaga 

Weight gain/loss: probably like 20 now

Maternity Clothes: YES!

Stretch marks: No thankfully.

Sleep: TERRIBLY!!  Ike is already saying he may have to sleep in another room because I toss and turn so much.  My hips are killing me at night!  If they are not my ribs are hurting.  Oh well I guess I will be prepared for a lack of sleep.

Diet: ANYTHING! lots of food.

Gender: Boy! Brantley Cleve

Movement: YES! It's still my favorite thing.  He has started to ball up, and we can feel it. 

The belly: BIG!  

What I miss: sleep

Symptoms: Heartburn/indigestion and hips hurting

What I'm looking forward to: Our doctor's visit in January. We have another ultrasound, and we can't wait to see him!  

Best moment of the week:  Being with family and everyone being excited about Brantley's arrival.  

28 Weeks

How far along: 28 weeks

How big is baby: The size of a chinese cabbage? whatever that is.....He weighed 2 lbs and 7 ounces at the doctor's visit this week

Weight gain/loss: 25lbs!!!!!!!!!

Maternity Clothes: YES!

Stretch marks: No thankfully.

Sleep:  still TERRIBLY!!  

Diet: lots of sweets!

Gender: Boy! Brantley Cleve

Movement: YES! It's still my favorite thing.  He has gotten big and stronger!

The belly: BIG!  

What I miss: sleep

Symptoms: Heartburn/indigestion and hips hurting

What I'm looking forward to: I am starting to be really really ready for him to be here!  I told Ike the other day I am so ready to hold him, to which he said I have been holding and it will be his turn.  We may fight over holding him  :) 

Best moment of the week:  We went to the doctor this week.  It was a great visit, and we had another sonogram!  He had his foot in his mouth.  It was the sweetest thing!  We ended up having to have our 4D that same day.  Unfortunately Ike was in a meeting when we found out they could work us in so I went by myself.  BUT I did not look at anything until we got home.  We watched the DVD together.  The little booger would not take his foot and hand off his face, but we did get a little look at him.  

Christmas Eve

We went to my parents house for lunch on Christmas eve.  We started out by taking some pictures that I think turned out cute!  It was so nice to all be together.  Last year my mom was in bad shape from the chemo and radiation so we were so thankful for everyone's health this year.

Outtake!  I love these!

Aunt Amanda is so excited about Brantley's arrival!

Papaw!

Above is just a few of the many things Brantley got for Christmas this year!  Aunt Amanda and Uncle Jason are getting him ready to be a Bulldog!  This baby boy is going to be so rotten!  

That night we went to church with Ms. Susie and Sam and then we went back for presents at Ike's parent's. 

Ike and I are so blessed with wonderful families!  We are so thankful for all they do for us, and how much they already love our baby boy.

Pre-Christmas fun!

Sorry for the absence!  I have actually been on several times and attempted to blog, but could not get my pictures to load.  I ended up having to download Google chrome.  So we are back in business, and I have a ton of catching up to do.  I was getting sad because I have been feeling the need to document everything lately!  

So here are few pictures from before Christmas.  Ike and I love getting to hang out with people and it was nice to have a little time to do that.

First we had a little get together with some of our friends here and watched Christmas Vacation which neither of us had seen and we all ate toooo much (except Ike who was in the middle of his 24 day challenge which he did amazing on, more on that another time).  

 That same night and weekend my sister and Jason came to visit.  They went to one of their friends tacky Christmas party, and were too cute!

 The next week we had Ike's work Christmas party...

Our little Family

 This same weekend Ike's mom and Sam came to visit AND brought the rest of our bedding!!  I am so thrilled with how it all turned out!!!!  Ms. Susie did such a great job.  I will have to post the nursery progress soon!

The next weekend we hung out with the Miller's, and I didn't get a single picture.  Trust me it was fun! :)

Then the next we headed home.  Our first stop was in Starkville to spend a few days with Sam, and to meet up with a few of my roommates from college.  I love getting to catch up with these girls!  I miss them all terribly!

Sunday we headed to Columbus for lunch with the Jones'.  We had the best time catching up and playing with our little nieces!  Ike and I were sad (selfishly of course) to leave because we knew it might be a while before we see them again because they are moving to the other side of the country!  But we were also sooo excited for them, and as soon as Brant is old enough we will need to start planning our trip out there!!  

 That night we met up with what we call the Columbus crew.  This crew has grown quite a bit this year!  We always have fun catching up and have all pretty much been doing life at about the same pace so it's fun to be able to talk people in the same stage of life.  We were missing a few from the crew, but I am HOPING that we will have our annual get together this summer!