Gotta have ChapStick!

October 18, 2009 in life by Cheryl | 2 comments

chappySo, I went digging in my purse yesterday for some ChapStick… I found 7, and 2 lip gloss options!!! I think I may have to admit to having some kind of a problem here. A girl just needs her ChapStick!

It’s been a rough couple of days, trying to stay off my feet and “keep my chin up” as I wait to meet my baby girl. I’m finding that it’s hard for me to be still. (I’m sure the pregnancy hormones aren’t helping either).

Along with my bum foot, I’ve been battling a nasty sinus headache. I’ve talked to The Lord about this, and I believe He is teaching me, using the discomfort. He could take it all away if that was what He wanted!

I am working on returning phone calls when I am feeling chatty. It’s such a blessing to have folks like you who love us and care about how we’re doing! We’re going to start updating my voice-mail message as things happen with Hannah, so you can get the latest news whenever you call, even if we can’t talk right then. We’ll also update Facebook and this blog as the news is breaking! Pray with us that Hannah comes without needing to be induced!

Oh yeah, and I’d really like to know if anyone has more than 7 ChapSticks and 2 lip glosses in their purse… it just might make me feel better : )

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Oh, the Nerve

October 14, 2009 in life by Cheryl | 2 comments

Today, we are 39 weeks pregnant! Hannahgirl is very healthy and moves so much that the doctor has a hard time getting her heart beat because she won’t hold still. She likes to stick out her bottom just below the right side of my rib cage… She’s quite the character already : )

My visit to the doc today revealed that Hannah is putting pressure on a nerve on my right side. This is causing sharp pain in my right foot when I step on it, and slight swelling. (I was already swelling enough, thank you very much.) : P

This means that I am to put my feet up as much as possible (translation: Quit running errands and walking the dog), drink as much water as I can, and visit the pool once a day to keep moving.

We WILL meet Hannah one of these days in-between tomorrow and November 4th (the day we are 42 weeks). I am praying for her birth day to come as soon as possible, especially now that I’m stuck with my feet up most of the time. If you know me, you know that sitting down with my feet up is NOT going to be okay for very long…

Please pray with us that my bod cooperates and begins the process of labor very soon on it’s own, and for patience and peace in the meantime. I know God has the timing worked out as He’d like, and He is trustworthy in any circumstance!

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My Dog Penny, and Tape

October 13, 2009 in life by Cheryl | No comments

Penny and Tape from Ben Lowe on Vimeo.

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The “Moses Basket”

October 3, 2009 in life by Cheryl | No comments

Hannah’s Gramma Deonne has spent hours re-vamping a special basket for her to sleep in while she’s bassinet-sized. This basket held her Daddy Benjamin when he was a new baby, her Uncle Isaac, and her Uncle Josiah too!

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Above is the basket with the liner Deonne put in for Benjamin and used with her next two baby boys. For years, the basket lived in her bedroom, holding magazines. When she heard that Baby Hannah was on her way, Gramma Deonne pulled it out to re-cover! Above is her kitty Clara, making sure it’s still comfy.

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Here’s the new baby girl look! Gramma Deonne used some of Hannah’s quilt fabric to re-cover the basket. It’s so beautiful and feminine with it’s antique style lavender buttons!

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Penny is ready for her baby sister to snooze in her sweet basket! What a special way to welcome our little girl. Thank you Gramma Deonne!

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Hannah’s Closet

October 3, 2009 in life by Cheryl | 1 comment

Here are a few snapshots of the little space we’ve prepared for Hannah to sleep in and keep all her tiny baby things:

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The pocket style doorway into her space is near our bed, in between the changing table and the big wardrobe where Ben and I keep our clothes.

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Her Pack n Play fits just right on the left hand side as you enter. I made those hanging plush blocks out of her left-over quilt fabric. Gramma Shelley painted the lavender H that hangs on the wall, Gramma Deonne made the little cream blanket for Hannah, and Lolli helped us find the polka dot wall covering behind the bed. I can’t wait to see her quilt in here!

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These drawers on the right hand side as you enter hold all of our desk/office items on the left side (since we have no space for a desk or filling cabinet), and the right side drawers hold Hannah’s clothes and blankets and such. All her little socks and hair bows, bibs, etc. are in the white shoe holder on the entrance wall (you can see it on the left here).

Hannah’s space is such a sweet part of our less than 600 sq. feet! We’d like to thank everyone who was a part of putting this little closet together. Our little girl has been well provided for. Thank you Lord for your loving-kindness, and this new adventure of parenthood!

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Full Term!

September 30, 2009 in life by Cheryl | 1 comment

Our Hannah’s lungs are now fully mature, and her little body would adjust just fine to life outside her mommy as of today according to medical estimations! We’ve experienced a few of the tell-tale signs that my body is preparing to give birth, so now we wait and see if this little girl will come early, wait the full 3 weeks until her due date, or maybe even longer.

Life will go on for Ben especially in between now and then… MP will have a Fall Retreat Camp Out just for boys on October 9th and 10th, he’s running an After School Program every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon; throw in a Thursday night and Saturday morning program, and lots of email, phone communication, and meetings with volunteers and many other “behind the scenes” responsiblities! It’s amazing to see God giving Ben everything he needs to walk in the power of His Spirit as he is faithful to obey. We trust that God will take care of the details of ministry responsibilities when Ben needs to take his girls to Scott & White’s Labor and Delivery wing sometime soon : )

I’m trying not to push myself to hard physically while still wrapping up the last of the errands that need to be run and such. (I’ll post pictures of her closet/ sleeping spot soon!) Ben and I can’t help but dream about what it will be like to hold this tiny person that God has entrusted to us!

I’m so looking forward to this next “Mommy Phase” of my life! God is already showing me pieces of the intentions He has for me in ministry as a mom. What a new adventure!

So come on out when you’re ready Baby Hannah! There are so many of us who are ready to see your face and snuggle you up! : )

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36 weeks

September 23, 2009 in life by Cheryl | 1 comment

Today I put in my first load of laundry with baby clothes and sheets in! (I know all you experienced moms are rolling your eyes at me, because this is but the first of millions that await me… but just let me be excited! ) : )

According to BabyCenter.com, we will be officially “full term” in 7 days! I can’t believe we’re so close to meeting our little girl…

Here is Hannah’s baby bump at 36 weeks:

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Thank you Benjamin and Panera Bread

September 19, 2009 in food, life by Cheryl | 1 comment

So I’ve been feeling a little crummy for the past 48 hours due to some killer back and neck pain… I feel much better right now and praise God for that. Thought I would share a bit about this evening’s escapades, since pregnancy sometimes makes for amusing stories… (The short version is: My husband is wonderful, and Panera Bread saved my LIFE) : )

Long version:

At dinner time today, Hannah and I NEEDED some soup (preferably in a bread bowl, but trying not to be picky). Naturally, I set to work searching the Austin area over the internet for promising restaurants with yummy soup selections. If you know of a great place to get soup, please comment here and let me know! We had quite a time finding satisfactory soup!

We stopped at a new place for us that we found online, Kiefer’s Cafe, (great reviews) but they are closed on Saturday! : ( So, we stopped at Potbelly at Arbor Walk. They had 2 soup selections, neither appetizing… so we left. We even stopped to check out the menu at Mimi’s Cafe… not inspiring. We climbed back into the car, (Ben shaking his head at me, but wanting me to be happy) and drove toward the Gateway shopping center.

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Lo and behold, there was Panera Bread! My friend Kristi recommended it to me a while ago, but I’ve never managed to make it inside. I knew they had salads and sandwiches, so I asked Ben to stop by so we could check out the soup selection. Much to my delight, they not only had yummy soup choices, but in beautiful sourdough bread bowls!!!

I had the broccoli cheddar and relished every bite. I can’t tell you how happy it made me! Isn’t it funny how the little things in life can be so enjoyable? I’d like to thank my sweet husband for his sense of humor and for driving me around town to my heart’s content, and of course – Panera Bread, for their delicious soup and bread bowl. Mmmmmm! : )

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Hannah’s Quilt!

September 11, 2009 in life by Cheryl | 4 comments

I am so excited to announce that the center of Hannah’s quilt top is assembled! Tomorrow Gramma and I will work on getting the borders put on : )

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Penny poses, even when I’m not planning to photograph her specifically… she’s just used to smiling for the camera! With how many pics I take of my puppy, I’m sure the number of photos we have of Baby Hannah will rival any movie star!

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Here’s a closer look at some of the fabric prints. I’m using the same fabrics to make a little mobile to hang above her “Pack n Play.”  Too much fun!

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Uninspired

September 9, 2009 in food, life by Cheryl | 1 comment

So, I am about 6 weeks away from meeting my little girl… Yay! I can’t wait to see her Daddy holding her. We are in the process of packing a bag for the hospital, figuring out how that car seat straps into the back seat, and finalizing our birth plan. I’m now visiting the doc every week. So far, so good!

One dilemma I’m up against tonight (and often, lately) is lack of inspiration to cook. Planning, gathering, and creating meals is just not flowing out of me lately!! Just going to the grocery store is exhausting. My old secret weapon, allrecipes.com, is even failing to light my flame of culinary creativity. (Sigh)

Sweet Benjamin has been very understanding and appreciative of the spotty instances of a well-thought-out meal… I eat lots of fruit, yogurt, cheese and such. (Smoothies… mmm) We enjoy eating out, but it’s too expensive to become habit, and so we are often left to add small things up and call it “dinner.”

I hope this cooking rut disappears when I have a little munchkin in the Moby Wrap to “help” me!

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