Baby Mama

Lately, I'm easily offended. (We'll just chalk it up to the hormones, like everything else!)I now park in the "Expecting Mother's Parking" at United. And when there is someone ELSE parked in that spot, I look extra close for a belly... or a screaming infant in a 25 lb carseat. And when I don't see either of those I feel betrayed and mistreated. I wish I were exaggerating... :) It seems that it takes extra effort to do the smallest things these days. It's crazy what a little four pounder added to the middle section can do to a person!

Another thing I've noticed from others since I've been in this third and final trimester is how folks LOVE to comment on the belly. Which I really don't mind at all and doesn't truly offend me, but I think it's interesting what people say. Everything from "you're only 32 weeks? you look so great for 32 weeks..." or " oh man, you're already this big at 32 weeks, I can't imagine how you'll be waddling in a few more weeks!" or "does everyone ask you if you're having twins, because I was big pretty early too and EVERYONE thought I was having twins..." (to which I answered, "No, actually, you're the first person that's ever said that to me." lol )

Honestly, I love my belly (I never ever dreamed I'd say that). It's so incredible that my body was MADE to do this. To offer perfect conditions to grow a little baby. It's especially amazing now that he has grown and and wiggles around all the time. And then I look back at that first sonogram picture - the size of a jelly bean! My heart swells up with a hallelujah! I can't help but smile. It really makes being exhausted and completely not motivated to do ANYTHING worth it.

With the impending arrival of Baby Mereness we've made some recent purchases. We bought a crib! Very exciting. You'd think that carrying a child for seven months and having a wiggling belly would introduce the reality that we'll soon have a cuddly bundle. But what's done it for me is having that crib. I got really nervous while we were standing in line to pay for it. I think it just makes me realize how our lives are about to change, of course, for the better!

If you've noticed the count down at the top of the blog.... 52 DAYS!!! That's 7.4 weeks. I did the math. We will have a baby before we know it!

Hellloooo Out There!

Well, for a little while I was stressing because I hadn't updated this thing in a while. Then I decided that it was silly to stress over a blog and that I'd get around to it and that you'd get over it. But, here it is!

We've had a very exciting, busy and fun filled last month! Christmas was good. But by no means normal! We spent Christmas with Kent's family in Panhandle. Well, almost all of his family, unfortunately Kent's oldest brother couldn't make it because of weather. I got to spend Christmas at work. Which was a bummer, but people are always extra appreciative of the work nurses do on holidays. It feels good. THEN, to make things more exciting, the day after Christmas, Kent and I became Aunt and Uncle! My sister, Saralyn, had her precious baby boy a few weeks early! Jackson is perfect and healthy. This is the first year EVER that no pictures were taken of me and my three sisters all together. We ran the batteries out on our cameras taking pictures of Jackson!

After a few days with my family, Kent and I headed to San Antonio for a little "babymoon", if you will. We had never heard the word until we were telling someone about wanting to go on a little trip before our family grows to three. So, our vocab has expanded. We went down to San Antonio and had a great time! The riverwalk was so fun and festive. I was pleasantly surprised! We were able to get tickets to a Spurs game, The Alamo Bowl (awesome) and The Lion King. If you ever, in your life have an opportunity to see Lion King on stage, DO IT!! It's amazing. Spend the money. Seriously. Okay, pictures, then baby talk...

Almost all the Mereness-Kelly family

Just the two of us... one last Christmas!

Favorite Christmas present: Jackson Thomas Roe

(he's SO cute!!)Spurs. We got altitude sickness, but it was fun. :)

Alamo

(it's SO COOL!!)We had great seats at the Alamo Bowl! the theatre where we saw Lion King was AMAZING, but

you can't take pictures in it. It's called The Majestic, in San Antonio,

you should look it up!

Aaaand, here it is. That baby bump. This was taken last week (week 27). Everything is going wonderfully and we are blessed to say that we are both happy and healthy so far. After our next appointment we start seeing the doctor every TWO WEEKS!! It is getting oh so real! I'm just about finished registering for baby loot. Oh man, talk about an experience. I've had great advice, though and always think about my mom: when she was helping my sister register, she had NO IDEA what most of the stuff was on the shelves. And she raised four children. So, to me, that means that as long as we got eachother, we're good :). That said, I am looking forward to having the help of some of those modern day conveniences out there! We are getting more and more excited about having another Mereness around here! And, to answer that burning question in your head, no, we do not have a name. No, we are not just being secretive and witholding information. I trust we will come to some decision soon. I hope. For the sake of my son.

Snakes and Snails and Puppydog Tails!

We are getting very excited about meeting our little baby boy! I will admit that at first I was a bit shocked. Having a boy has never been something I daydreamed about or pictured as part of my life. The reason, I think, is because my life has always been about little girls. Everytime we went to the hospital when I was young, we brought home a baby girl! It's just life. I think God's idea of keeping me on my toes is blessing me with a little boy. And as we get closer and closer to that day, I just can't wait! I've had many moms of boys tell me that "life will never be the same" and "boys are so much fun!" (both of those statements could be interpreted in a couple of different ways :). Everyday I realize what a wonderful adventure we are about to embark upon... and then I freak out a little.

Baby boy is kicking around like crazy these days. Kent was able to feel him kicking for the first time yesterday. SO FUN! And I know you're wondering about names. Well, we have none. Our college students have given him a few different names. (none of which will be on the birth certificate). They want him to have cool initials so they can call him JAM or BOM. ???

22 Weeks (it's grown a bit since this pic!)

For Christmas, every year, we go carolling with our students to widow's houses from our church, then we go to a family's house from church (The Uptons) and have yummy food and a white elephant gift exchange..... we always have many many laughs!

The Uptons' Christmas tree!

Exchanging "gifts"

We put up outside lights at the Bible Chair for the first time EVER this year!!

If you come to Canyon you can see the finished product :)

Our Christmas house

Kent went out for milk one morning and brought back this AWESOME tree!!

Happy Holidays!

A Bad Blogger.

How could it be that I've only just begun and I'm already a bad blogger? I realy would have predicted differently. But like they always say, Michael Jordan didn't make his junior high basketball team (maybe I just always say that?) Someday I will be GREAT :).

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family. The food and fun did not dissappoint! And if you know anything about my family, you know there's never a dull moment around the Wades!

Baby Mereness is growing fast! I've posted the 20 week pic, even though we're almost at 22 weeks. And tomorrow is the big day! We find out if it's a pink baby or a blue baby. Can't wait!!!

Sisters

Kent, in his "hunting shirt" with his prego wife

Me and Mom in our Thanksgiving aprons!



Not the greatest pic, but it's there!

Happy Holidays!

Thankful That God is Faithful

I can't help it. I LOVE Christmas. I won't go as far as Hobby Lobby does and start celebrating/decorating in July. But a week or two before Thanksgiving I start getting really sentimental about the holidays. Actually, right now I'm watching Christmas Vacation. It is gooOOd. Some Christmas CDs made an appearance a couple of weeks ago... I like to ease into it slowly.
I also, however, love Thanksgiving. There's something about gathering together as a family and not focusing on what we bought eachother. As cheesy as it is, every year, I also enjoy how my family goes around the table and says one thing they're thankful for. I think it reveals our true colors, the good, beautiful ones.
In regards to thankfulness, today I am so thankful that God is faithful. I am half way through carrying my first baby. Lately I've had lots of ladies tell me "oh, you don't look that far along AT ALL" and "my, you're not near as big as I was"... Some may think it's crazy that I'm dissapointed that I'm not bigger, but as mommy-t0-be it made me worry. This morning, as I was getting ready for work, I started to worry that something was wrong, that the baby wasn't growing, that any movement I've felt thus far was all in my head. And as I drove to work, I asked God to show me today that our baby was okay. And that my worry was for nothing. Well, let me tell you about my answer.
This baby tumbled and twirled and did the locamotion ALL DAY LONG!! And in a much stronger way than I've felt before. I just felt reassured, all day, that no matter what I worry about or what comes to pass in ours lives, God is in control. And God is faithful. I know that doesn't always mean happiness, as we know it, but I do know it always means joy and hope, forever. It reminds me of when Mary visited Elizabeth and when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, "the baby leaped in her womb". A sign of life and a sign of promise. The promise that God is faithful.
Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

A Blog and A Baby

Well, this blog has been "in the works" just about as long as this little babe growing in my belly. So I'm really starting to wonder which one will be the bigger challenge! :) And I'm not even technologically illiterate. Oh well.
Kent and I (and some of you..) thought it was high time to start documenting our journey for all the world to see. The fact that I keep pretty good tabs on all of you through your blogs played a part as well, thought it was only fair to let you have a peek into our craziness!
You may have gathered, if not known already that Kent and I are expecting our first little bundle in April. We are SUPER excited and feel blessed beyond measure that God has chosen us to care for one of His little children! What a responsibility!! The due date is April 9th, but what baby follows that rule? Yes, we will find out what kind we're having, actually on December 3rd!!! I have felt pretty good. The first couple of months were a little rough, never horrible, but just felt a bit sick and exhausted. Then one day it all went away and I started to wonder if I was making everything up... (I'm not). Just at the right time my belly started poking out and now feels like it grows daily!! I haven't had many cravings, nothing crazy, anyway. I just eat. A lot. Baby's a hungry little thing! The only thing that MUST be in the fridge at all times is orange juice. Exciting, huh? But we buy it by the gallon jug these days. As far as any inclinations as to what we're having, Kent thinks we're having a boy, all our college students think it's a girl, except for one. I really don't feel pulled one way or another.
Someone the other day asked me if I was ready for the baby to get here. I quickly answered 'NO!' At this point Baby Mereness would be sleeping on the couch, swaddled in a full size quilt and playing with the dog, none of which, I'm sure, are 'pediatrician recommended'. I think God was on to something when He decided to give us 9 months to get ready! This whole process has been just another testament to how beautifully powerful God is. Everything happens on His time scale and PRAISE GOD for that!! I can only imagine what our chitlins would be like if we were in charge of the specifics. I feel like I'm part of a little miracle by carrying this baby. It's been so cool to know that he or she is growing just the way God wants!

Wait, did you say dog??? Why, yes I did. We got a dog. Our dear friends Ryan and Emily had to get rid of their dogs, one of which Kent grew very fond of when we lived in Lubbock. He couldn't fathom the idea of Gus going to any ole stranger's house. So we took him! Gus is a part corgi, part weenie dog(can't spell the real name) mix who is transitioning into an outside dog. He has been around babies and is pretty gentle and loving. He goes ABSOLUTELY NUTS when around big crowds, but we'll just deal with that. We've loved having Gus around so far.

Just a few pics of what's being going on in our neck of the woods...

Tailgating with the students

Bob Ross and (evil eyed) Mary Poppins!

Sad this pic isn't bigger- our students come up with very impressive costumes!

Gus and Kent - "guy talk"

Me and baby at 18 weeks!