preparing the nest

I sit today about 6 weeks from my due date.  Cory and I are so excited.  It seems like anytime there is a silent moment in our house, one of us will say, "I just cant wait to see her."  We are constantly daydreaming about her, I think.  I keep visualizing that moment when we will see her face for the first time.  I told Cory that he is nesting as much as I am.  Over the last week, the whole house has received a fresh coat of paint  and new wood floors. 

We are tired, but we are having so much fun.  This pregnancy has been a great season for us.  it has been such a sweet time.  The Lord is preparing each of us for this next step.  I appreciate my husband so much, and I am so thankful that he is mine.  He is going to be an awesome Dad :)  

Over the next week, we are going to be working room by room, deep cleaning and reorganizing.  The joys of preparing the nest:)

All of this work has worn someone out :)

Making the Switch: Part 1

Disclaimer: Every Pregnancy is different.  Every person is different.  This post is not meant to elevate one kind of delivery above another.  We have to all birth in the environment that we feel the most comfortable in.  That is what is best for the baby. These are just my thoughts about MY pregnancy.   

Over the last several months, the Lord has really changed our hearts about the way that we introduce Harper to the world.  For the first few months of our pregnancy, we were both kind of numb to any type of understanding that we actually had choices to make about this pregnancy and birth.  We just thought we were supposed to go with the flow and trust our doctor.  After all, doctors are the experts.  About four months in, however, we began to get a little discouraged the way we were treated at our huge OBGYN practice.  Our doctor called us her "easy" parents, and spent about three minutes per visit with us.  We needed more.  We began to do some research. 

Although doctors ARE experts, and we certainly need them; they are experts in pathology.  We have a completely normal pregnancy (thank you Lord).  The concept of a natural childbirth with a midwife began to come at me from all directions.  I researched and researched and researched and came to the conclusion that this may be a good route for us to take with our next baby :)  (once I get one under my belt).  Cory was supportive of me, but the more I thought about it, the more this question began to rise within me: "If  you know that this method is best for the baby, what is keeping you from giving this gift to Harper?"  the answer was fear.  I was afraid of the pain.  I knew that the right thing to do was to turn my fear over to the Lord and take a step of faith. 

We visited the Birth Center shortly there after for a consultation.  I asked the Lord to give Cory and me peace about which way to go.  As we walked around the place, we both felt immediately settled.  When we were in the birthing suite, Cory just looked at me and shook his head "yes".  At 30 weeks, we officially transferred our care to the Charleston Birthplace.  We could not be happier. I have never been a hospital person.  They give me anxiety as soon as i enter the door.  I immediately fell in love with the idea of delivering in a place that was like a home.  The calmness of an environment like the birthing center trumped the hustle and bustle of a hospital....BY FAR...  AND there is a possiblity that we may be the only family there at the time of Harper's delivery. We are very excited about bringing Harper into the world this way. 

For more information about The Charleston Birthplace, click this link: http://www.charlestonbirthplace.com/

Along with testimonies from friends, here are some links that helped me realize that natural childbirth was the right option for me.

http://www.birthingnaturally.net/index.html

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/business-being-born/ (this is a full length movie, fyi)

more to come about this topic...

Maternity Pictures

It has taken me about 7 months to talk Cory Lee into taking maternity pictures.  Finally, he agreed.  Sally from our church took these beautiful pictures for us.  She is so talented.  We went out to Sunrise Park on James Island.  It was a lot of fun.  I even think Cory enjoyed it :).  Here are a few of the shots I fell in love with. 

To look at more of Sally's awesome work, check out her website.  I have it saved to my favorites so I can stalk all of her new shoots :) http://www.sallywattsphoto.com/

refrigerator people.

When I was in Grad School, one of my friends did a speech about refrigerator people.  Basically, she said that one way you could measure your success is by counting how many refrigerator people you have in your life.  I have never forgotten that.  A refrigerator person is someone who comes to your house to visit; and feels like they can open your fridge, dig around a little, and choose something without asking.  I love it.

I have always loved to entertain.  I love to get everyone together.  I am sure I have annoyed my mother over the years with the "get togethers" I organized at her house.  I want so much for my home to be a welcoming environment for people...like my Granny Millie's house.   

I read a neat blog post today about preparing for guests.  Check it out.  This lady is one of my favorite bloggers.  I am always learning from her.  The blog is about preparing for your guests by praying for them and the visit.  This is one area that I have not thought much about during my prep for people.  I clean and think about what I am going to cook, but I don't spend time in prayer for the visit.  Hello???.  It is so crazy that I forget that entertaining/hospitality is a joy for me because it has been gifted to me by my heavenly father.  I get so wrapped up in enjoying it, I forget about the one who gave it to me, and that I should talk to Him about how He wants me to use it.   Great lesson to learn. 

Big News!!

Meet Baby Evans


Baby Evans :) from The SCL on Vimeo.

Frugal Friday!!

http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/rinsing-with-vinegar/

Great post about ways to kick the chemicals out of the house.  (and it is a lot cheaper too)
Check it out!!

Craft idea

This is something that I thought was really cool.  My hubby got me a bottle cutter for Christmas.  I think I may give this a try. 

http://www.dailydanny.com/?p=4257