37 weeks...

How far along: 37 weeks and 2 days

How big is baby Jaden: He's fully baked!!! He's around 20 inches and 6 1/2-7 lbs!!! He is a strong little stinker too, let me tell you! All of that sticking up his hiney that he loves to do has left a very noticable and tender stretchmark directly above my belly button in the same, and I mean same, location where I left one for my mom! Talk about payback! lol! It started out really small a couple of months ago, at which point I nearly cried (I came to my senses once he reminded me how worth it he'll be), and now it's getting bigger by the day, and let me tell you I'm slathering on Vitamin E and covering it with Band-aids to try and help it heal. We keep joking that he's confused and needs a map for his exit route...he appears to think that after all the talking daddy did into the microphone (aka belly button) that this is his proper route. Not quite little prince, not quite...
Have I mentioned that we're ready for you?

Weight gain: amazingly I hadn't gained any weight as of last Tuesday...however I feel big as a house. I waddle like it's going out of style because my son is rearranging my pelvis to properly suit his tastes, he's already got a sense of his own style I suppose (or so it feels anyway)...my feet have endured all the punishment from my weight gain they can handle too. People see me coming and they get worried they'll be slipping and sliding in amniotic fluid at any given moment. Poor little old lady at Walmart really thought I was going to pop while grocery shopping. Nope...I think little baby J is going to take his sweet time like his daddy would!

Maternity clothes: um...yeah...I frequently have a baby belly playing-peak-a-boo!

Sleep: next question please....

Best moment of the week: Reaching 37 weeks aka FULL TERM! ...and hearing that little boy's heart beat...which I nearly forgot to mention what what a trouble maker he was for the Dr! Lol! He kept shifting his booty and moving on the Dr...kicking me etc. while the Dr attempted to find his heartbeat. Took him a good minute to get a good reading because little prince was showing off his moves.

Movement: lots and lots.

Food: Still love it, still can't have a lot of the food I love, lol.

Morning sickness: If I don't eat...for sure!

Love this idea...

I haven't had much time or energy to do much crafting, but I definitely miss it. Once we move and get settled and things start calming down a little...I'm getting back into it!

So I'm kinda late...

at this whole decorating my bloggy space...yeah...was busy baking a beautiful little punkin, still am actually! ;P I figured however that it's better late then never. So I took the time to sit and do it...finally!
Hopefully I'll decorate for Christmas before it's almost over...of course by then I'll be holding on to a handsome little prince charming, so I'm making no promises. ;)

Happy Thursday ladies!!

By the way...Oh my goodness do I love the pumpkins in this pic!!!!

Spiritual gifts...

Last night was one of those nights...I wasn't feeling well, again. Which don't get me wrong, at this point in pregnancy isn't rare and I am used to it somewhat and I certainly am willing to deal with it since I know the prize is soon to be arriving! Have I mentioned I'm thrilled to hold that little prince in my arms?! I'm bursting...anyway, that's besides the point. What I was getting to is that I've come to the realization over the last few years that I'm so not good at some things that other Christians are....as in ministering through words. My honey on the other hand...he can debate up a storm and encourage and when he does he sounds so intelligent, he has this patience that is way beyond what I could have when discussing religion, faith, etc. Me, I sound like a babbling idiot....and then eventually get so frustrated, not only with myself but the other person....that mostly I choose to avoid the situation. I've had to stop trying so hard to minister through words because I think I make things worse when I use words! I have in the past gotten very frustrated with myself over this...HOWEVER... last night reading my bible, it did click that I'm not a completely hopeless case...I just have a different way of ministering.

"Just as each of us has a body with many members and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is SERVING, let him serve, if it is teaching, let him teach, if it is encouraging, let him encourage..." Romans 12:4-8

Notice SERVING is capitalized. I think that is my gift. I love to do things for others. In fact, I wish I had the energy and means to do it more. I love to give gifts, I love to make meals for others and care for them when they are ill....make them feel better through my actions...if that makes sense. Words, they fail me everytime. No matter how well-intentioned they are.

Ah...getting older and slightly wiser....or at least I hope so! ;P
Happy Wednesday!

Rawr!!!!

Oh this is just to die for!!! I love it! I really think that if my little prince gets here before Halloween or on Halloween we'll be doing costume Birthday parties! Oh so much fun! Have I mentioned I love fall lately? :)

I have fought the good fight...

I love this verse, I hope to someday be able to say this to my children...

2 Timothy 4:7-8

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous judge will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

After a long week, not a bad week necessarily...just a long one, I'm most definitely in that last-few-weeks-of-pregnancy, unintentionally-cranky-at-times, achy and uncomfortable, anxious-like-you-wouldn't-believe, can't-seem-to-sit-still, kind of mood. Let me also say....being 9+ months pregnant, pretty much full term and going through classes, be it online or otherwise, is not wise...sometimes necessary (as is in my case) but not exactly wise. I've been a mess. Between Finals and getting the regular school work done I've been ready to lose it at times. All I want to focus on is the impending arrival of my son, not Micro-Economics...needless to say, even after studying I did quite poorly on my Final Exam! Argh! The worst grade I've gotten yet, and I'll be lucky to make it out of the class with a B.
Anyway, I was getting to a point. Being stressed out often makes me very impatient and a little hot tempered (I let the German/Italian feisty gal come out a little too much)...and that is something that I don't want to do. I don't want my babies to see me get so upset over silly things that I shouldn't let get to me in that way. I want to be consistently patient and gentle...I want them to see me "fight the good fight", to watch me "keep the faith" and also to "finish the race" with class, dignity and honor, even in times of stress. We learn more by example than words could EVER teach us...and therefore I need to get this down!

36 weeks...Our Lil' Punkin!!

How far along: 36 weeks

How big is baby Jaden: He's about 6 lbs or so....around 19+ inches in length. He's head down, and feels very low. I'm not so sure we're going to make it to 40 weeks. I have a Dr's appt this Tuesday so hopefully I will find out if there have been any other signs of progress. The Braxton Hicks are getting uncomfortable and walking is definitely becoming a challenge.

Weight gain: honestly don't know if that's changed. I'm guessing around 37lbs.

Maternity clothes: yes

Sleep: When baby J isn't partying all night or crampiness keeps me up. I had a couple of good nights in there and a couple bad.

Best moment of the week: Just watching him bounce around in my belly. Being able to see knees and elbows poking out about as far as they go! This little boy is STRONG! It amazes me how strong a little 6 lb baby can be :)

Movement: lots and lots!

Foods I love and hate: about the same...

Morning sicknes: definitely when I don't eat soon enough. Made that mistake a couple times this week.

Yummy fall dessert!!!

Thanks to my friend at Windy Poplars, we've tried (and LOVED) a new fall dessert this weekend! After it was in the fridge overnight, it was even better than the first day! You have to check it out. You can find her blog and the recipe here:
http://windy-poplars.blogspot.com/2010/10/fall-festival-at-windy-poplars.html
Enjoy!!! :)

....and Happy Birthday to our little niece!!!! Can't believe you're getting so big!

The spirit intercedes for the Saints...

"...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the Saints in accordance with GOD's will." Romans 8:26-27

35 weeks...

How far along: 35 weeks and 2 days.

How big is baby Jaden: He's somewhere around 5 1/2 lbs...his kidneys are fully developed, and his liver can process some waste products. He's pretty much just hanging out and fattening up at this point.

Weight gain: According to the Dr's office....35 lbs.

Maternity clothes: yes.

Sleep: About the same...the potty breaks are pretty frequent, so even on nights when I sleep better, I still have to get up several times a night. What can you you do...all part of it.

Best moment of the week: hearing his precious little heart beating again! The sound of that little heart never gets old!

Movement: lots ;) he likes to boogy! Which typically results in hiccups! It's precious and priceless!

Foods I love/hate: mostly about the same, lately I've been craving sweets and chocolate like never before...I enjoy treats from time to time, but this is crazy! I mean I've already gained 35 lbs people, lol....hopefully I can stop there.

Morning sickness: only in the morning and when I'm hungry.

To all you precious mommies....

...who've suffered the loss of your babies, my heart breaks for you! You amaze me with your grace, wisdom and strength! You've touched not only my life but so many others. Thank you! I cannot imagine the ache in your heart and I pray that somehow GOD will give you the peace you need to continue on. Your babies were and are so precious! The closer I get to meeting my own miracle the more it hurts to know what you have had to endure. I am so terribly sorry for your loss!

All my love!

Nadine

Pumpkin Cheesecake...

I've mentioned many times that fall is my favorite season...well, fall and Christmas really. It's so hard to decide which is more fabulous! I love the smells, the colors, the crisp air (if you don't live in South FL anyway ;) lol). Anyway, one thing that I've tried in recent years that has become another fall favorite is Pumpkin Cheesecake!!! Ahhh! It is so tasty! I plan on making this one for Thanksgiving this year...and I wanted to share the recipe with you all.
So here you go:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/pumpkin-cheesecake-recipe/index.html

Strengthened by faith...

With a season of many changes ahead of us, it is often easy for me to get a little panicked about what is to come. Will we be able to find the right church that feels like home, find the perfect jobs, find the right home, will I find time to finish school and further my career, all the while (and more importantly) caring for my infant son? Those are all questions that run through my mind on a daily basis. Most days I try to push them aside other than when we are praying about it...because I do not want to allow fear to creep into my heart and stop me from taking leaps of faith. What a boring life that would be. However at the same time we want to be sure we are following GOD's lead, not our own. It is such a fine line to balance on...sometimes it can be a frustrating process figuring out exactly what GOD is calling you to do.

Yesterday while reading my bible, I stumbled across this verse...

(Talking about Abraham)"Yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promise of GOD, but was strengthened by faith and gave glory to GOD, being fully persuaded that GOD had the power to do what he had promised" Romans 4:20-21

Found this one a little while back when we really started considering our move...

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do and your plans will succeed" Proverbs 16:20

Another verse from yesterday, "It was not by the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promis that he would be heir of the world, but through righteousness by faith" Romans 4:13

This one was also from a while ago when we started to pray about this specific decision..."Whatever the righteous desire will be granted" Proverbs 10:24

...so even on days when it all seems overwhelming, I'm choosing to believe that with faith, hope, and lots of prayer, GOD will show us the way and continue to bless our lives. :)

Micah Stud...

You would have been with us 7 years this last Friday had the cancer not taken you from us over a year ago! We miss you terribly...you were such a good boy and we love you so very much!! The 5 1/2 years we had with you just weren't long enough! When I brought you home, you were just a tiny little runt ;)...a coworker of mine in Delaware had found you on the street by garbage cans when she almost hit you with her car...when she showed me your poofy little palm size self I couldn't say no. I just "knew" Daddy would kick my booty for bringing home another little fuzz, but to my surprise...the two of you became the best of buds! He still says on a daily basis how much he misses his "Big Stud". I wish you would have had the chance to meet your brother "Mini Stud"...you would have loved him. He's a sweet, playful, mischieveous little booger too! Not to mention your human brother who's getting ready to arrive in a few short weeks. You would have loved him...you always loved babies!! Missing you terribly sweet kitty boy!!!

34 weeks...

How far along: 34 weeks and 1 day in the pics.

How big is baby Jaden? About 5lbs...He responds as a newborn with his eyes open while awake and closed while sleeping. He is developing immunities to fight mild infection. His little fingernails are at the ends of the fingertips already.

Weight gain: Holding steady at 31 lbs

Maternity clothes: Yes! The belly likes to poke out of the regular tops I bought and I'm still too small for most maternity shirts...the ones I have anyway. Sort of poses a problem ;)

Sleep: I wake several times a night for potty breaks...sometimes the heartburn keeps me up...sometimes it's just insomnia. I assume it's my body practicing for those all nighters when baby J doesn't want to sleep.

Best moment of the week: Seeing Josh's face when he sees just how active this little stinker is now! Sometimes it looks like an alien is trying to escape!! Of course as soon as we try to get it on tape, he stops...he's on to us! Josh keeps saying it looks like he's trying to get out!

Movement: Very much! :) Love every moment of it...even the jabs and kicks to the ribs! It's crazy to watch my stomach move up and down ... side to side...this kid likes to boogy!

Foods I love hate: About the same...sadly so much gives me heartburn that I don't really get to enjoy food these days. It's all well worth it, but I sure won't be missing the heartburn!!

Morning Sickness: Not often...just in the morning if I'm hungry. Mostly at this point I'm dealing with cramping (Braxton Hicks), swelling/achy feet...sore pelvis/back. Pretty much just the typical end of pregnancy discomforts. But hey...we're getting close, so I guess it's to be expected.

A candle burning for you...

Baby Ewan! It breaks my heart to see your mommy and daddy hurting so badly. Especially because all we can do is pray and try our best not to say anything that might hurt them even more...good intentions or not. They are such special people and they love you so very much! I wish there was something, anything we could do or say to ease their pain...even if only a little.I can only imagine how hard this day...and tomorrow will be for them. YOu're such a precious little boy, you've touched so many hearts! You will be sorely missed, especially by that wonderful family of yours. I pray GOD gives them his peace and strength and heals their hearts!
Love,
Josh, Nadine, and "baby J"

Together we can make a difference...

(Picture from teamewan.com)

in eachother's lives. James and Kirsten have suffered unimaginable grief this week after losing their precious little baby boy Ewan to a Congenital Heart Defect. Sadly the medical and funeral costs remain.

If anyone who is able and feels led to do so is interested in helping James and Kirsten with these expenses, please visit Baby Ewan's Trust fund website at:

http://teampetermann.weebly.com/index.html

All money donated will be used for medical and funeral expenses. Any excess money will be donated to Seattle Children's Heart Center in an effort to help other babies like Ewan! He may not be with us in physical form, but his legacy remains! Go baby Ewan!!! <3

Also for more information on Ewan and his parents and updates, please visit Kirsten's blog at:

http://www.team-ewan.com/

Blessed...

On Saturday October 2, 2010 my mother and sister in law threw us our baby shower. It was beautiful and we couldn't have asked for more. We are so blessed to have been given this opportunity to prepare for "baby J". Thank you so much to you both for all your hard work, we had so much fun! Thank you to everyone who came and showered us with love! We are so thankful for you all! We're so excited to be welcoming our son into the world within a few short weeks...when he gets here, thanks to all of our family and friends who've helped us, we'll be ready for him! :)
All our love,
Josh and Nadine

Here are a few pictures of our special day...these are only a few...we have so many but it would take me all day to upload them ;)

Enjoy!

Early Morning...

On the morning of the baby shower I took my friend who had been so sweet and flown in from GA to be there to the beach early in the morning. I figured I'd show her something while she was here...I wish we had gotten some the night before when we took her to the pier as well. Anyway, we were able to capture some beautiful pictures of the ocean and the sky...enjoy!