Here I grow again.....The TEN Week Countdown

THE TEN WEEK COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN!

I get asked most often to post belly bump pictures but, I like to wait and put them up side by side so you can see the progress. So for all you bump watchers...here you go!

Week 10-30.

Week 23

Week 24

Week 25

Week 26

Week 27

Week 28

Week 29

Week 30

7 Years

I married my most favorite person ever 7 years ago (yesterday)! I can't believe how fast time has flown by! Love you Jason and can't wait to see what the next 7 (or 80) years bring us!

The Little Boys in My Life

So, I have some amazing little guys in my life these days! They bring countless amounts of joy and laughter wherever they go! Lately, they've all said some things about Baby B that I've thought about over and over again with a huge smile on my face.

It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Isaiah, Keller and Grayson and their cute little stories.

Keller is one of my most favorite 3 year olds ever! Always up for a giggle! Every Sunday Keller and his family come by our house and we remind him that "Mayba is having a baby and it's in my tummy" He looks at us wide eyed, almost terrified. We ask him each week what he thinks I'm having and his answer changes week to week. Last week he saw me at church and ran across the building grabbed my tummy, swayed back and forth and started singing at the top of his lungs, "BABY, BABY, BABY BOY". So cute!

Isaiah is a NUT! I've never met a 4 year old with a better sense of humor. This kid gets funny! And it's no shock since his parents are always keeping me in a state of laughter. Isaiah is in Texas so I've only seen him a few times while I've been pregnant but every time he says something outrageous (in true Isaiah fashion). The first time, he and his mom picked me up from the airport. We told him about the baby and asked him to guess if it was a boy or girl. He quickly said, "Girl! Because it's a dinosaur.” WHAT?

This past time I was there we again told him there was a baby in my tummy. He looked puzzled at my belly for awhile. Then he crawled up in the chair to cuddle with me, looked up and with the sweetest voice said, “Mayba, so you eat babies?” In his little brain that was the only logical way a baby could get in my belly….right? HILARIOUS!

Grayson is a little love bug! I had the honor and privilege of being in the room when he was born so we’re tight. :) Seriously, have you ever seen a cuter, ginger headed cowboy in your life?

He, his mom and sister were saying prayers the other night and prayed for Jason, Mayba and Baby B. Kennin, his sister, asked, “Who’s Baby B?”. Her mom told her it’s the baby in my belly. To which Grayson started screaming, “Baby B, Baby B!” This story doesn’t do it justice. Here is a voicemail she left with them reliving the moment. Listen to it! His little baby voice alone makes it worth it.

http://blip.tv/file/get/Mabrie-BabyB734.m4a

Love you boy-o’s! When I think of you it's Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows...I like thinking of you! MUAH!

Praying for Baby B

A lovely friend of mine sent me a letter she had sent to close family and friends while she was pregnant requesting prayer for her little one. I completely LOVED the idea and stole it as fast as I could! I sent the following letter to a few friends and family members requesting prayer for the baby, Jason and myself...and now I'm sharing it with everyone :)

Some of it may seem silly, but, it's what mattered to as when we first wrote it.

Dear Friends and Family,

As you know, Jason and I are about to experience a major time of transition in our lives with having a baby. It is a blessing from God that we praise Him for, and our hearts are filled with excitement and joy for this gift. In addition to the happiness and anticipation we’re experiencing we also possess a very real awareness of the need to bathe this whole season of life in prayer!

Let me know if you’re joining me on this journey by emailing me.

Love you!

-Mabrie and Jason (and little Baby B)

IN REGARD TO THE REMAINDER OF THE PREGNANCY

Baby’s Health

• For a healthy baby to be forming, free from disease and defect

• For the baby to go full term without complications

Spiritual Preparation

• For our spiritual roots. Pray Colossians 2:6 over us: “So then, continue to live in Him [Christ Jesus], rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

• That we would find time to diligently seek Him with all of our hearts

Marriage Preparation

• For our marriage to be strengthened through lots of prayer time together. That our love for each other would grow and have a firm, solid foundation going into parenthood

My Physical Health

• That I would crave healthy food

• That I would be protected from illness and infection

Baby-Related Decisions

• For guidance in figuring out how to handle the baby’s immunizations

Financial Preparation

• Clarity on what our new budget will/should look like

IN REGARD TO LABOR AND DELIVERY

• That the baby would be delivered without complication

• For mental and physical strength for me

• That Jason would be in town for both labor and delivery

• For Jason to be mentality prepared and to be a great birthing coach

IN REGARD TO NEW MOTHERHOOD and FATHERHOOD

Spiritual Health

• That I would give God the first fruits of my free time, and that He would fill my cup daily – that I would not let my “to do” list consistently supersede my time with Him

• That we would look to God, not our circumstances, for our fulfillment and satisfaction, and that God would truly fulfill and satisfy us

My Mental Health

• For strength mentally, to push myself and keep a positive attitude even in times of tiredness

• For protection against post partum depression

Our Relationship With Each Other

• For protection over our marriage

• For God’s love to fill each of our hearts, and for us to love each other out of the fruit of the Spirit, not how we’ve been treated by the other person

Baby Issues

• That the baby would sleep well (it doesn’t hurt to ask!)

• That the baby would not have colic

• That the baby would nurse well

• That the baby would come to know and love the Lord at an early age

Thank you for considering praying with us! I am so grateful to God for you. I “always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in [my] prayers.” -1 Thessalonians 1:4

Braxton Hicks....Boo

Last week was the busiest week ever! We had summer camp for kids at work that took what felt like thousands of hours to put together. The endless hours of work included getting on a lift that went 24 feet up! All the crazy physically demanding work and many sleepless nights landed me the proud new owner of Braxton Hicks contractions. THEY SUCK! Luckily, we had snocones which made it much better :)

After camp was over, I was in a wedding for my sweet friend Dana. It was a lovely day/evening, everything was perfect. However, the whole time, I had these annoying and sometimes intense fake contractions. Hoping after a full day in bed they would subside.

(taken at 2pm)

After a full day of rest I am finally feeling back to normal!

Pretty Little Giveaway! (And 100th Post)

OK so you know that guest blog I wrote last week over at the Belgexan? We'll along with having an amazing blog Destiny, the resident Belgexan, is giving away some super cool things to go along with her family series! She just gave away these adorable hats!
Now she's giving away a Family Photo Shoot offered by the incredible Shull Photography!!!!
Brad, photographer extraordinaire over at Shull Photography, is one of my favorite Texan photographers. He just gets kids and knows how to make a woman look her best! I am insanley jealous everytime anyone I know gets pictures done using Brad! So I wanna WIN this giveaway SO SO SO badly!
But, I guess I'd be happy for you if you won too :) So go sign up to win!
http://www.belgexan.com/2010/08/family-photo-shoot-giveaway.html