The nesting has begun...

I thought the expecting mother was supposed to get this surge of energy and start cleaning and organizing the house from top to bottom. In the Jones household, that is just not the case. Instead, Jonathan has received this burst of energy. Over the weekend, he cleaned blinds, windows, flipped rugs, etc. You get the picture. Meanwhile, I was parked on the couch....watching. Nothing more, just watching. Either this is really messed up, or the true energy surge that precedes labor naturally transfers to the spouse when bed rest is required. I'm hoping for the 2nd option, maybe that means the baby is coming soon........................................ Jonathan really is a great dad already.

BEDRESTED AND BORED!!!

I suppose I should be somewhat relieved that my doctor has taken me off of work for too many false contractions...and being dilated. Who wouldn't want a mini vacation before the hardest job her her life arrives, right? What would you do if you were at home all day everyday? Personally, I would work on tons of projects.....deep cleaning, baking, sewing, decorating baby's room, etc. There are TONS of things I would do right here in the walls of my own home. But I'm not. I sit. I sleep. I read. I eat. I worry. Yes, I do admit that I do worry some. I wonder if when I do get up to do a small chore if I'm causing myself to dilate even more. After a week of this, I am relieved to say that the doctor told me today that nothing had progressed much further. I must be doing something right. I'm looking forward to my sister coming to visit next week. I think we will be resting at the pool and in the chair at the nail salon!!! Ha Ha. Just for the update, this will probably continue for about another 2 weeks and then I will be released!! I'll be allowed to go to work, clean, bake, sew, decorate, and shop my way into labor. Until then, I pray for my God to show me ways to learn more of Him, be thankful for His ways because they are much higher than mine, and enjoy every kick and turn my child communicates with me. If I were cleaning, baking, shopping, or working I would not be so attentive to this active life within me. I will probably look back at this time as some of the most precious of my pregnancy. For now, please pray with me so that I do enjoy the moment. I want to experience His wonderful love for me and for this child.

It's Football Time in TENNESSEE!

It's that time of year again, It's Football time in Tennessee! At this moment, we are 19 days 17 hours and 2 minutes from kickoff at Cal (go to www.utsports.com for the latest news and countdown clock). I truly am excited this year (and every other year!) when August rolls around and summer two-a-days start up. The excitement mounts all through the month like the real long "ohhhhhhhhhh.........AH! AH! AH!" before kickoff. I know, I know, it's baby time here in Dallas, but I promise that what I'm most excited about this season is having our new little one here to watch the games with us. I told Holly that anytime on or before September 14 would be great so that the baby could get here in time for the Florida game. We've already been set up with a great assortment of orange and white gear for the little one (thanks y'all) . When people said that they didn't know what colors to get because we are waiting to find out the sex, I always said that orange and white works great. I even picked out our car seat and stroller because it had orange trim. The pic to the left here is my choice for the going home from the hospital outfit. One of my friends here in Dallas, Martin, made the observation that our kid won't have a choice but to be a "Volunteer" (i.e. you can't force someone to volunteer and they still be a volunteer). Dang Skippy Martin! He/She will be born a Volunteer! With orange blood and all. It's not just from my side either. Some of you have seen the way Holly cheers and yells, sometimes louder than me! And talk about hard on the refs! I am looking forward to game days with the baby and drawing the logos of Tennessee's opponents (especially Alabama) on the inside of diapers before they go on the kid... so they can get crapped on. (HA Ha!) For all college football fans and especially to all of you Volunteers, cheer until you lose your voice and enjoy the season! Go Vols!

Shower of Blessings

Alondra and Gerald Redd and Amanda Albee were so gracious to throw us a shower with all of our friends and family here in Dallas. We had such a wonderful time of fellowship! We enjoyed having our family meet so many of our closest friends who have become our family here in TX. Jonathan's mom, my parents, sister, and grandmother were able to travel down for the occasion. We were showered with gifts and blessings as Gerald spoke some uplifting encouragement and prayed for us. Enjoy the pictures!

Baby update!!

For all of you who may want an update on our recent visit to Labor and Delivery. I had a small scare at work on Sunday. I had to call my doctor from work around 8:00am. When she heard my symptoms she sent me down stairs to L&D to have the baby put on a monitor to make sure everything was OK. Luckily I work only 7 floors up from L&D so it was extremely easy for me to check in and comfortable since they are all familiar faces. (Since I work in the neonatal ICU I get to see these nurses quite often.) Jonathan and I only had to spend a few hours there before going home with some surprising news that I had probably passed a kidney stone - most relieving since that meant there was nothing wrong with our sweet baby who never stopped kicking me the entire morning!! I rested for the remainder of Sunday at home and wasn't allowed to lift a finger. Jonathan is already a great dad! He even went to the grocery for me because he knew I would want to go on Monday! We visited the doctor's office Monday and got some clarification and reassurance. The baby weighs 3 pounds and 2 oz. and has lots of hair already!! We won't post any picts. of the sono. because he/she would only look at my spine, not the camera. We are very grateful that God protected our baby and that it is all over! Thanks to all of you who lifted up a prayer. I felt very calm the entire time and never really panicked. God's peace is a wonderful gift. Hope everyone feels updated now. Any guesses to what color this head of hair might be!!??

Green Green and More Green!

Green is the color!! If you don't like green, you won't like our nursery or the wardrobe of our little one for about the 1st 3 months! Since it's my FAVORITE color, it really hasn't bothered me much to not be preparing in either blue or pink for our surprise. Once again we were blessed this past week by my mom's visit. We shopped, sewed, and had a girls day with the luxuries of lunch followed by manicures and pedicures! We (meaning mostly my mom) finished all the bedding for the nursery in ONE day. Although the day lasted 14 hours! We teamed up and made a bed skirt and bumper from fabric I've had for 3 years (I'm not a planner at all!). Even Jonathan joined in on the fun and made the bulletin board with ribbon, fabric, and of course, DUCK TAPE!!!!! Hey, it works! It really was a blessing spending the time with my most precious mom and hearing her birth stories of Heather and me and learning some of her grandparents that I always hear about but never got to know. Our relationships really are precious gifts from God! Here's a few picts to capture the week. Enjoy.

More progress...

Jonathan is earning huge brownie points for his "baby momma" (haha). The nursery is really coming along and will be ready soooo early!! I 'm making progress as well when it comes to cooking this kid! At 28 weeks, I think I've doubled in size compared to the last picture. As exciting as all of this is, I think my most favorite part was when I put the linens on the bassinet and it was officially ready for a baby! I'm so glad God gives us 9 months to prepare for this precious baby. I think it must be more for our benefit than the child's. Mentally, preparing for this sweet addition to our family has truly come in stages and I feel confident will take the entire 9 months to come full circle. Right now I am really feeling very sentimental about he/she being here ready to hold and cuddle. Being pregnant has been a wonderful experience (one of which I'm not through with) and all I anticipated it to be, but the closer we get to September the more I'm ready to see and touch this one growing inside of me. I can't wait!
** Quick update.... at our last appointment on Thurs. the heart rate was 135, the head was down, and I don't have gestational diabetes (whew!). We really are soooo blessed by our God in Heaven. All the praise really belongs to him. As you pray for us, please thank Him for health and all the provisions He gives us. God Bless You.