My Mom: Cleaning Wonder-Woman!

We played a trivia game with some friends this week during which we learned that Wonder Woman weighed 156 lbs.  My mom is definitely a more petite version of the cartoon superhero, but I definitely think she still deserves the cape and tights and superhero status!

In the past two weeks, mom has spent 24 hrs working with me to clean and organize my house.  Together we've logged over 50 hrs.  We have re-lined and organized all of my kitchen and laundry room cabinets and drawers, cleaned and polished those same cabinets, deep cleaned my fridge and freezer, deep cleaned my oven, hand-scrubbed the grout in the kitchen and bathrooms, deep cleaned carpets in all rooms, dusted and washed all the walls and blinds, stitched-up some holes in some decorative pieces, washed light fixtures and dusted fans, deep cleaned the bathrooms, and organized and polished the cabinets in the bathrooms.  We are tired!!! 

I feel SO MUCH better having all those chores done, though!  I knew I'd have neither the time nor interest to do them once Jordan gets here.  He will now make his home in a house that is much cleaner than it was when I was working.

A HUGE THANKS TO MY MOM for being so generous with her time and energy!!!

Next on the to-do list?

Rest.

Belly Update

Jordan and Janet @ 27 weeks!

This week, Jordan's ear nerves are fairly well developed - such that he can hear most of me and Nick's conversations.  He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs.  He weighs about 2 pounds and is around 14-inches long.  He is sleeping and waking at regular intervals and opening and closing his eyes.  His brain tissue is developing very actively.  Nick has just informed me of a doctor's report he heard which said that cruciferous veggies (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, etc) are a major player in said brain development.  That's good news because I've been eating them almost every day!

Clingy Chloe

We're beginning to wonder if Chloe is sensing the coming of the baby.  

Many have commented to us that often dogs will change when a woman gets pregnant.  So far, we've noticed nothing out-of-the-ordinary from her busy, curious, always-spunky personality........... until this week.  All of the sudden, she's much more interested in being right by our side and being petted.  Not annoying - just really sweet.  We got these pictures of her from the last two evenings.  When we parked ourselves on the couch, she got up from her bed and came and cuddled beside us until we went to bed. This she never does.  Usually she wants to be left alone so she can sleep in peace.  

Things are definitely 'a changin around here!

Welcome Home, Me!

This is the sweet little bundle that awaited me when I came home from work Friday afternoon.  My "Welcome Home" surprise from Nick.  Friday was my last day of work at First Vision Bank.  I will now be a full time wife, mommy, and homemaker; devoting the bulk of my time, energy, and heart to the nurture of everyone and everything in my home.  

I am SO thankful and SO excited for this season of my life!!!

Thank you, Lord, for the counsel of your Word and for convincing us of the great value of a wife and mother at home!!!!  

Thank you, Nick, for valuing our marriage and family above the money and things that a second income would provide!!!!

Mr. Elephant has been fondly named Ellwood.  This is after Nick's late granddad - Clyde Ellwood Galyen - of whom Nick has very special memories!  We will look forward to explaining to Jordan that his special elephant has a very special name.

Only three months till Jordan Andrew will make his arrival.

Definitely Gonna be a Happy New Year!

With all of our family extended family events, and my only getting Christmas day off, Nick and I didn't have any sort of "Christmas" together.  So, we decided we'd have a special New Year's Eve evening.  We cooked the above meal together - Bacon Wrapped Fillet Mignon, brown rice, roasted brussell sprouts, and spinach/pear salad.  I'm thinking surely little Jordan's developing body appreciated the good eats.  It was delicious!!!!

We finished off the evening with crib assembly and nursery furniture rearranging.  The nursery is slowly starting to look like one.  Next we'll paint the walls grey, hang some bookshelves, and eagerly await the arrival of our Pottery Barn bedding.  Fun, fun!

I'm feeling great.  Jordan moves a lot now.  Nick and others can now feel him kick, and if you watch my belly closely you can see lots of movement.  

I've begun to read Shepherding A Child's Heart by Ted Tripp; a highly and widely recommended book about how to parent and discipline your child with the aim of pointing his heart toward God rather than only correcting his behavior.  We're praying often for God's preparation of us to be godly parents; not influenced by worldly standards and traditions but rather influenced and guided by the full counsel of the Word of God in our parenting.  Shew - just typing that makes me feel intimidated :) :) :)

A 2014 updated belly picture coming soon.......