To My Sweet Little Bird:

(found here)

My Dearest Blaykleigh:

    It won't be long now until you are in my arms. Lately, I find myself thinking about all the things I want to teach you, all the things that it has taken myself years to learn. I pray that I know enough about being a Godly woman to raise one.

    For starters I suppose, it's good to know how quickly life can pass you by; it takes a firm hearted person to wake up each morning happy and thankful for what the day will bring - rain or shine. So don't take even the dullest of moments for granted, time isn't reversible.

    I hope to teach you that beauty comes from the inside first and if you work hard to obtain inner beauty it is then that it will shine through for others to see. One's appearance and the way they carry themselves can never turn ugly faster than when you act ugly from the inside. Always remember that your looks are only a carrier of your soul and do not define you as a person.

    I will teach you to never compare yourself or what you have in life to others; for that will only set you up for failure. You will be blessed and so very loved, in the end that is all that matters.

    Day in and day out, I will instill in you the importance of being loving, gracious, kind-hearted and sympathetic to all around you. For the smallest of creatures to the largest of men deserve the same respect you wish to attain yourself.

    Some people won't like you and that is okay. Don't go through life trying to please everyone for you will only lose bits of yourself. And with that, don't ever be ashamed of who you are ...

"Be who you are, and say what you feel. Because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

    My sweet little bird, there is so much yet in life for you to learn. Those above are just a few important lessons worth jotting down. There will be many more in the days, weeks and years to follow as you grow from my sweet little girl into the beautiful Godly woman you are meant to be.

    Your dad and I can't wait to finally meet you; you will undoubtedly be welcomed into a home and a life full of everlasting love!

   Until then ...

     Momma loves you! 

                                        

...  And when the birds sing in the morning 

I'll be a mama

I'll have a daughter

I'll be a mama

I'll have a daughter

And I'll give her melodies 

I'll give her melodies

And she'll be

My little bird

And then she'll fly

She'll fly 

Just for her!

A girlie hospital hat ... just for her! 

I wanted Blaykleigh to have a more "feminized" hospital hat for her big arrival, so 

I added a few extra touches to it. I think it turned out pretty cute if I do

say so myself! 

Photo-shoot!

So we went to the beach yesterday evening with some friends of ours whom are also expecting a baby here shortly and took some fun pregnancy shots of each other! It beats having to pay for a real photo session and was a ton of fun. 

Enjoy! 

Mother's Day

So blessed to have gotten such beautiful "Mother-to-be" cards this year on Mother's Day! Even though Blaykleigh isn't actually here just yet, it sure was wonderful to be acknowledged like that. 

Happy Mother's Day!!! 

Baby Books Galore!

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all."

- Jacqueline Kennedy Jason & I got a rather heavy box delivered to our door yesterday & inside was close to a dozen children's books! I really want Blaykleigh to grow up & enjoy reading; I am so thankful that she now has a head start on her book collection. Now she really needs a bookcase in her room, just not sure where it will go?!  A special "thanks" to his Aunt Linda

the bump update - in the homestretch!

35 weeks & 3 days

Well this will probably be one of the last "bump updates" being that as of today we have a mere 27 days at the most until we get to meet our precious daughter; the induction date has been set ... May 30th, 2011! I can't even begin to express the overwhelming feelings of joy I have knowing that she is almost here!!! 

By the end of this week (Friday, May 6th) Blaykleigh will be considered full term! She is now close to, if not already weighing in at 6lbs and is approximately 18 1/2 inches in length. She is definitely about out of room in her current home. Of which, I am constantly reminded of as she tries to maximize her space in there by stretching herself out; in turn leaving me with an achy ribcage, while at the same time hitting her head in very "low" places making it feel as if she may fall out at any given moment! Won't be one of my most favorite parts about being pregnant that I can assure you of. 

As far as my bed rest days, it has been almost a full two weeks since I have been "set free" and what a relief it is! Although I am still having contractions on a regular basis, my last protein test came back negative (a test that is supposed to detect if you will go into labor in the next few wks) and so my doctor felt comfortable enough to allow me a portion of my life back! Hallelujah and Praise the Lord. 

Jason and I are pretty much ready for her to come at any moment with hospital bags packed (just in case) and car seat bases installed in our vehicles! As for now, we wait patiently and continue to count down the days towards May 30th!