34 Weeks and running out of room!

Well... that's how it feels, at least! Clearly, I know I'm going to be getting even bigger over the next 6 weeks, but I don't know how it is going to happen! After meals is definitely the worst... even if I don't eat very much, I feel SO full! And since that nerve damage pain is still around, it makes the fullness even more evident! I also think that Harper is running out of room in there. Her kicks and movements have gotten so strong that it is actually painful. But I am thankful that she is still very healthy and moves to let me know she's doing good. 

This week is going to be SO exhausting but FUN! Annalise is here visiting us for the entire week!!! Yesterday we spent the afternoon with Luke and Emerson at Chick-Fil-A, and then we went to Hattie's house to play. She had so much fun seeing her friends!!! Then last night, we watched Saylor for a while so Matt and Erica could visit their friends and their new baby at the hospital. Annalise wasn't too interested in Saylor, but she did want to hold her for a while. She clearly had more interest in their dog and cat. We had such a busy day, but it was wonderful having her around again! Last night when I was drying her hair, she said, "I'm so glad I live here in Dallas again! I don't like St. Louis." It definitely made me sad, but I explained that this was just a trip and she'd be going back in a week. She seemed to understand and quickly moved on! 

Today we are iced in, or at least we were this morning. I think it is all quickly melting, but it has been nice having it feel like winter around here. I'm not sure if we will even leave the house today, so we are having a lazy day together... which is a nice change of pace from our crazy, busy day yesterday! Here are a few pictures that I took yesterday... Enjoy! 

Luke and Annalise playing on the tree at Chick-Fil-A

Hattie and Annalise playing dress-up

Annalise holding baby Saylor

Annalise and Laloy (yes...she still calls me that) with Saylor

Harper's Shower!

I know it's taken me a while to post about my shower that was on Sunday! Lindsey and Eliana left this afternoon, so I'm just now getting around to uploading my pictures. The shower on Sunday was wonderful! My friends are fabulous, and it was great to see all of the people that came! I still haven't had time to look through all of Harper's goodies for a second time... that will probably be what I do tomorrow!

Jill, Callie, me, Lauren, and Mare... Erica was a hostess too, 

but she left before we took this picture :(

My sisters, mom, and Eliana

 

The table spread was beautiful! 

I also had a great weekend with all of our family here! We ended up getting so much done with the nursery. Now there is very little for me to do! :) As soon as it is all done, I'll post pictures! I may be a little biased, but I think it is BEAUTIFUL!!! 

Oh what a night!

Yesterday was quite eventful here at the Pardue house! Eliana and Lindsey were supposed to fly home, but she started throwing up and we were too worried that she'd be sick the whole time on the plane... so they stayed here in Dallas instead. She continued to be sick all afternoon, so we took her to a clinic near my house. 4 hours later... Lindsey finally made her way back to my house. Corby and I were at our birthing class, so she had to deal with all of it on her own. The doctor told her that if she threw up again to take her to the ER. We got home about 10:30 from our class, and she was throwing up all of her pedialyte. Therefore, we all got in the car and headed to the ER at Children's. We walked in and the place was PACKED! It really was fascinating. After sitting for about 2 1/2 hours (and choosing to laugh at all the things happening around us...instead of crying!), Lindsey asked how much longer it would be. When she was told 4 or 5 more hours, we decided that Corby needed to get home and sleep before work, so he and I came back home. I also slept so that I could be awake with Eliana today. I went to pick them up this morning at 7:45, so it was much longer than 4 or 5 hours!!! The doctor gave the same diagnosis as the clinic, but they gave her some more medicine and a clearer picture of what to look for if things get worse. 

So needless to say, they are both exhausted. Currently, Eliana is asleep next to me on our chair, and Lindsey is asleep on the couch. I have a feeling this is where we'll be all day! Please be praying that Eliana continues to keep down her pedialyte. She's been okay so far, so we're just praying it was a 24-hour virus. If there are any updates, I will definitely let y'all know! Thanks for your prayers!!! 

Calling All Prayer Warriors!!!

Due to my sister's Guatemalan adoption, I have followed several other families during their journey. My sister told me about one family several months ago, and I want to bring their story to your attention! Her parents tell her story so much better than I ever could, so you should probably just go to their blog to read about Abby's journey with leukemia. However, I would first ask that you simply pray for her. Tomorrow she will begin treatment that gives her a 20% chance of survival... I can't imagine the emotions going through everyone in the Riggs family right now. So when you think about it, please pray for Abby. Her parents have listed specific prayer needs on their blog, so make sure you go and read what they've written.  Thank you in advance for your prayers!!! 

It's gonna be a good day...

It's time again for another prenatal massage! Thankfully, Corby insists on me getting one every month or so.... it's awesome!!! I still have some gift cards from my birthday to use, so Nordstrom Spa- Here I come! It's the only time I'm able to lay on my stomach (thanks to the person who invented the bed with a cut-out in it!), and I sure do miss being able to do that. Today I'm feeling especially pregnant. It just feels really tight today. I know my stomach is going to get even bigger, but for some reason today is just one of those days. Who knows?!?! So it seems to me that today is the perfect day for some relaxation and a massage. 

Well, it's time to feed Harper and then off to relax! Enjoy your day!!! 

And if you haven't seen my precious niece dancing, please head on over to Lindsey and Chris' blog... she is just hilarious!!!! 

Baby Saylor is here...

Sweet Saylor Grace was born on Monday at 3:56 pm. She is SO precious, and let's be honest... holding her made me really want Harper to be here!!! I can't wait for them to be friends! Corby and I had our birthing class on Monday evening, so we ran up afterwards to meet her. However, we didn't know that she had been born yet, so I didn't have my camera. Naturally, we had to go back last night to visit again...this time I had my camera! So here she is... Saylor Grace Smith!  

As mentioned earlier, we had our 1st birthing class. Thankfully our teacher has a lot of personality... we were really worried it was going to be some old nurse who just reads through a book. Now here's something we weren't expecting... looking around the class and feeling like pre-teens. We are without a doubt the youngest people in this class! I think there might be one other couple in their 20's, but that's it. Most of them appear to be late 30's.... but there is one couple who looks like they are in their 50's. I certainly don't think there's anything wrong with it, it's just not what I expected.  I kind of expected for everyone to be around the same age, but that just isn't the case. I think it will be neat though since we all are such different ages, yet preparing for the same life stage! I'll keep you posted on the class! 

And finally, if this post is a little "out there", I blame it on my lack of sleep last night. I don't believe I fell asleep at all until 6 am. I could be wrong, but I am feeling it right now! I have some sort of nerve damage on my 6-pack muscles (yes... they are still there!), and it was almost unbearable last night. The pain is fairly constant, but it definitely chooses to flare up at times, and last night was one of those times. Sadly, my doctor says there's nothing I can do for it... such a bummer! Oh well, it could definitely be worse, so I probably need to be thankful that this pregnancy has been really easy (there's that "being thankful" thing again.... I probably need to read my own words before complaining again!). 

A New Year....

As I think about this past year, so many wonderful things happened. Yet, at the same time, when I really think about it, I tend to dwell on the painful things I've gone through or others in my life have gone through. Why do I do this? I've never been one for New Year's Resolutions, so I don't plan on starting that this year. But I definitely want to be more conscious of being thankful. This year has already proven itself to be an interesting one.... so the "being thankful" is starting early! I'm so thankful for the little girl inside of me that makes herself known ALL OF THE TIME! I can't wait for her to be here. I am ecstatic about seeing her and finally knowing who she looks like. I also am thrilled that Lindsey and Chris get their first full year with Eliana! She is the most hilarious child ever... I sure do miss her!!! Thankfully she's coming for a visit in 2 weeks, so I will get some more time with my crazy niece! We will also have another addition in our family in May, as Jeff and Kacy have their second son. I can't wait to watch Lake be a big brother.... it's going to be wonderful! They are also coming in a few weeks, and I can't wait to spend some time with them... and watch Lake and Eliana interact! 

This new year is going to bring some big changes. I really don't think Corby and I can wrap our minds around the fact that our lives are about to be COMPLETELY different! I am definitely excited about it... it's just hard to comprehend. Relationships are going to have to change this year. I have simply felt the Lord telling me in the last few days that if I want to live a healthy life and be what my family needs... changes have to be made. Although I have some unhealthy relationships, I also have some tremendous friends here in Dallas. I want to be a better friend. Although I don't always know what to say to my friend Mare, I want her to always know that I'm here for her. I also have another friend, Erica, who is having her baby today (I CAN'T WAIT!). She has some long days ahead and since I don't have a job, I've just been praying about how I can be a support and encouragement to her. I can't wait to watch her be a mom!!! 

I hope that everyone has had a great start to their new year! I pray that the Lord blesses your life in phenomenal ways!