Sneak Peek

We have had Jim Wilcox out all week to paint Rex's room... I am super excited about the way that it turned out. We don't have the furniture or anything in there yet, but I thought I would give you a sneak peek of what's to come.

27 Week Picture

Here is my 27 week picture, I know I forgot to take a picture for 23 week...we'll just blame it on the pregnancy brain. Rex has made great developments since my 19 week update. Last month Ben was able to feel him move for the first time. His lungs were also making large developments that will help him breath after he is born.

Right now the probably weighs about 2.5 pounds and by the end of the month (30 weeks) he will be about 3 pounds and be about 11 inches long. His little eyelids will also start to open and he will be able to see the difference between light and dark. He is also starting to make grasping motions with his hands and his taste buds are developed.

New Look

I have been trying for a while to find a new look for my blog without spending money for someone to custom design a blog template for me. I have downloaded free templates that I could never get to work and each time ended up more frustrated than before.
Thanks to Emily Doss who recently posted about her new blog look, I finally found my answer. Let me know what you think.

Follow the link http://lenatoewsdesigns.blogspot.com/ for your own free blog makeover... it's super easy and super fun!

Perfect Summer Salad

With the holiday weekend quickly approaching so is the season for potluck cookouts. This salad is one of my favorite things to make and take to summer potlucks because it it quick, easy, and it is always a hit. Just note that it makes a lot, but the leftovers are better the longer they marinate.

Summer Marinated Salad

1 16oz bottle Italian Dressing
2 16oz cans black-eyed peas (rinsed & drained)
1 16oz can black beans (rinsed & drained)
1 can whole kernel yellow corn (drained)
1 can shoe-peg or white corn (drained)
1 can sliced black olives (drained)
1 bunch green onions (tops and all)
1 box cherry or grape tomatoes (sliced)
1 bell pepper (green, orange, yellow, or red)

Combine all ingredients and allow to marinate several hours or overnight.

Enjoy and have a happy 4th of July!

Peace Offering

This morning I watched Brandon and Kara's new puppy, Libby. Chloe was not very fond of her at first. I really think that she just doesn't like dogs that are smaller than her (She was scared to death of my aunts chihuahua last Christmas even though she was half her size). Chloe seemed to be getting frustrated with Libby because she wasn't playing like she wanted her to. She looked up at me as if to say "what is this thing you have brought into my house and when is it leaving?!?"

Then the most amazing thing happen. Chloe went over to her toy bucket and got out her favorite lamb toy and gave it to Libby to play with, sort of like a peace offering. The rest of the morning they played together just fine. This made me ponder... who am I frustrated with because they didn't do something my way... to whom do I need to extend a peace offering? As humans it is so easy to hold a grudge against someone who has wronged us, hurt us, or just plain annoys us. But, as Christians we are called to forgive and show grace just as Christ has done for us. Is there anyone in your life that needs a peace offering from you?

It's A Boy

We had our ultrasound and doctor's appointment on Thursday and found out that we are having a boy. We are so excited! Everything looked good at our appointment and our little guy measured out one day older than he really is. We have a sweet picture of his little foot. We could see all 5 toes and they look like Ben's (the second toe is longer than the big toe). Ben could not stop looking at his own feet after I pointed it out...I think he was amazed that his son already takes after him (to read Ben's thoughts on all this, visit his blog at www.benreed.net). He has long legs (also like Ben) and we could see him sucking his thumb. They put the ultrasound on a DVD for us and I can't tell you how many times I have watched it, in awe at God's handy work.My 19th week of pregnancy started Sunday; which, according to my books, begins the 5th month. Above is a picture of what I look like at 5 months pregnant ... I'm defiantly starting to look it. I didn't sign up for one of those websites that give you progress of your baby's development each month...sometimes with those it seems more like you are growing a vegetable garden rather than a baby. But, for your information at 19 weeks our little guy is about 6 inches long and about the size of a grapefruit. Next week he should be about 10 inches long and weigh about 10.5 oz (about the size of a banana or carrot). He has also made some pretty impressive milestones:
At 3 month he developed bones and muscle and his kidneys started to function.
At 4 months his ears finished developing, he could flex his arms and legs, and his teeth were forming under his gums.
This month, his bones have become strong enough that I have started to feel him move (he actually kicked to ultrasound tech and I have been able to feel him ever since). He is growing toe nails and the hair he will be born with. He can hear now, and his taste buds are starting to form.
The Lord is defiantly amazing... the fact that he knit me together in my mothers womb has taken on a whole new meaning.

Catching Up

I know... I have not been good at blogging. We have had a whole lot going on lately. I'm sure that everyone has heard by now that we are expecting. Baby Reed is due to come November 23 (Bible Sunday). We have had two doctor visits and so far everything is progressing normally. It was so amazing to hear the little heart beat and see Baby Reed moving around, being pregnant became so much more real. As long as the baby cooperates we should find out the sex June 26. I have no mother's intuition about what it is, but last night someone in our community group told me she thought it was a boy because of the way I am starting to show. She has had two boys so she may know what she is talking about. We really don't have a preference either way, but I did see a glimmer in Ben's eye when she said that. I am starting to feel more "normal" in that my sickness seems less and less frequent, but I still have days when no matter what I do I feel exhausted all day. I will be 4 months on Sunday (I will try to remember to post a picture so you all can see the little baby bump).

Pregnancy has really changed me. I seem much more mellow and don't really like being in large groups or being touched any more. I'm sure that's a combination of hormones, not feeling well, and being tired. Oh, and my emotions have been off the charts lately. I have also discovered that "pregnancy brain" is very real. I truly can't remember anything anymore (I have had some moms tell me that they never got their brain back after pregnancy). Also, I tell Ben that the baby is already taking after him because I have become a much earlier riser in the morning and crave sweets more often. I'm sure more changes are to come.

Other than that, we have had several friends here to visit us, my brother's graduation from UT, my grandmother has been in and out of the hospital, and the regular hustle and bustle of life. It's been a busy month for sure. We leave for the beach on friday, but after that it's back to receptions, weddings, and home improvements before Baby comes.