17 Weeks

Today, little baby has been inside of me for 17 weeks. It really is crazy to think that we found out about this sweet little love over 3 months ago. I am really enjoying being pregnant, and I am loving the fact that I am sort of starting to look more and more pregnant, not just chubby. This week the baby is about the size of a small pomegranate or your open palm. In the updates I get in my email, it told me that baby's ears are developed enough that baby can hear voices now. This is really exciting for Chris and me, and we have definitely amped up the talking and singing to the sweet pea! I just really love this whole thing, and it reminds me of just how miraculous this whole process is. I am just in awe of the creativity and power of God, and I know that will only grow as I get farther and farther along.

Another exciting thing about this week is that we went to the doctor yesterday for a check up. It was our first appointment with our new doctor's office in Rowlett. I saw the Nurse Practitioner to get established as a new patient and will see Dr. G next time, but Chris and I both really liked everyone we encountered at the office and feel good about our decision to use this doctor. The best thing about the whole appointment was that we got to hear baby's heartbeat for the first time! WOW!!! That was incredible and such a sweet, sweet sound. I can't wait to hear it again. We find out if baby is a boy or girl in just three weeks, and I can already hardly wait! We are just having so much fun and are so thankful for how smoothly the whole pregnancy has gone. We are blessed.

Here are the latest belly pictures. I think I am really starting to "pop" out now.

16 weeks

17 weeks


Blessings...

Catch Up!

Lots of catching up! Look for the following posts:

Happy Father's Day!
Remember the Alamo
Schlitterbahn: Field Family Style

Have a great Sunday!

Schlitterbahn: Field Family Style

Going to Schlitterbahn with the Field family has become a tradition, and it is something we all really look forward to. We stay at a place in the Schlitterbahn Resort that fits all of us (11 this year!), and we can just walk back and forth between the house and the park at any time. That definitely comes in handy for food and naps--two necessities for this pregnant girl!
Chris and I left San Antonio with all our bags and headed 30 minutes up I-35 to New Braunfels. Once we got there, Chris dropped me off at HEB with his family, and he headed to Rowlett to lead the Conversation Cafe that {he also traveled the 4 hours back to New Braunfels that night and got in about 12:40am...I was very happy to see him!} At HEB, we stocked up on food for the next 2 1/2 days, and believe me, we eat well while we are at Schlitterbahn. We then got all checked in to our little "house" and began what would continue for the next couple of days. Lots of lounging around, conversation, laughter, and fun at the water park.
I chose not to ride any of the rides this year after doing lots of the research about the risks during pregnancy. I just decided it wasn't worth it. Luckily, Chris's mom also couldn't ride anything because of her recent neck surgery, so the two of us enjoyed lazy days by the pools. We had LOTS of wonderful conversation, and I had the best time just hanging out with her. I seriously have the best mother-in-law, and I feel so blessed.
We had a great time at Schlitterbahn and enjoyed being with family, but come Saturday morning, Chris and I were pretty ready to be home. We had a great week, but there is just something nice about being at home!
Thanks to the Field family for the fun times at Schlitterbahn. We are already looking forward to next year...especially baby :)

Remember the Alamo

Chris and I got to spend the beginning of last week in San Antonio attending the Renovare Conference. The conference began on Sunday evening and finished on Wednesday morning, and every day was truly a blessing! We were able to hear from some amazing spiritual giants of our lifetime, and let me tell you, these men and women know their stuff. They are bold, Christ-seeking people that were truly inspirational. Among the speakers were Eugene Peterson {The Message}, Dallas Williard, Richard Foster, John Ortberg, and Chris Webb. One of the greatest blessings of our time at the conference was the ecumenical diversity. There were people from all denominations, but we all came together and worshipped--uniting in one common purpose and belief that Jesus is Lord. It was a great opportunity, and I am so glad I got to join Chris.

While we were in San Antonio, we stayed in a hotel on the Riverwalk which was just an added bonus to the whole thing. Even though it was very warm, the Riverwalk is still just a cool place to be. We got to catch up with a couple of old friends over dinner as well both nights we were there. It was great to see Brett Bishop and John and Kayla Fite. I always love reconnecting with old friends and hearing their stories.

We really had a great time and enjoyed our little stay at the home of the Alamo. After San Antonio, we headed out to New Braunfels for the Field family vacation at Schlitterbahn. More to come on that...

I sadly did not get any pictures except my 16 week belly picture, but blogger is not cooperating. So, I will post that picture with my 17 week post in the next couple of days.

Happy Father's Day!

I believe that there are very few roles in life that are more important than that of a father, and I am so thankful to have a day to celebrate fathers all over the world that have such a huge impact on young lives. So, here's to a few important dad's in my life.

First, to my daddy... Thanks for always being there for me when I needed some support and encouragement. I know that I can always count on you, and I am thankful for the godly example you were to me growing up. Thanks for instilling in me the need for Christ in my life and gently pushing me to always do my best. Now, I can't wait to watch you be a grandpa to my children! So fun! I love you!


To my father-in-law... Thanks for raising a young boy to be a servant. I know that Chris learned so many things from you about humility and doing the dishes :) He learned so much about how to be respectful, kind, and loving to me from you, and I am forever grateful. I couldn't ask for a better father-in-law! And, I guess I should be thankful for that sense of humor, too!


Now, to my precious husband... When I married you four and a half years ago, I could not have imagined how much I would learn from you and how much you would exceed my expectations as a husband. I had so many ideas about what married life would be like, and you have completely surpassed all of my wildest dreams. So, I can only imagine what it will be like to watch you as a father to our children. I love knowing with complete confidence that you will raise them to love Jesus and be compassionate to others. And, I know you will love them with reckless abandon. I cannot wait! Happy "almost" Father's Day, lovey!


To all the other fathers out there, Happy Father's Day! You deserve so much, and we are so thankful for you!

Colour My World

Since we bought our house, we have been able to do a lot of fun stuff to really make it our "own." We have painted, replaced fixtures and fans, changed out faucets, etc. As we are beginning to finish a lot of these projects, I will try to post some before and after pictures to document the changes we have made. Making a house a home is a big project but is lots of fun. Of course, my favorite part is seeing it all done and getting to enjoy it!

This morning, we tackled our flower beds. Our next-door neighbor is replacing the bricks around her flower beds and trees and is building a small stone "wall" around them. She offered her bricks, and we graciously accepted. The front of our house has some nice shrubs, and the flower beds are clean. But, it was lacking in color. So, we spiced it up with some colorful flowers too. Chris spent almost 4 hours working to remove the plastic border from around the flower beds, dig up space for the bricks, lay the brick border, and do all the normal yard work (I know, I know...my husband is a hunk :) I spent a little over an hour planting the pretty flowers. We are really pleased with the way it looks. It is always amazing how a little color and nice brick border can make such a difference! Enjoy the before and after pictures (you will need to click on the pictures and make them bigger to really be able to see the difference).

Before:


After:





Enjoy the rest of your Saturday!

fun discoveries in Rowlett, TX

Since we began living in Rowlett on a full-time basis, Chris and I have found a couple of fun things that will become staples in our household.

1. The Rowlett Community Center - This place has all the exercise equipment you would find in a gym, 2 raquetball courts, 2 basketball courts, and an indoor walking track all for $72 PER YEAR!!! That's right... for $6 each month, you can go get some exercise at a really nice, clean facility. I have only seen it from the outside, but Chris has already started doing his runs there because it is just so stinkin' hot to be running outside. We were excited to find this deal!'

2. The Rowlett Public Library - To some people, this might not be a big deal, and yes, almost every city has a public library. However, I LOVE public libraries! You can read any book you want, and you don't have to pay for it. I have really rediscovered my love of reading since college, so the public library makes me really happy. I went for the first time today and got my very own library card. I still remember getting my first library card and feeling so important when I got to sign my OWN name on the back. I felt so grown up. When I was in there today, I saw all the stuff for their summer reading programs. This brings back floods of memories! I can remember going to the library every summer to pick up my canvas bag, check out some books, and start earning my free personal pan pizza. Such great memories. I can't wait to take baby Field in a few years!