35 weeks!

Well, I'm 35 weeks tomorrow! I'm almost into my ninth month and the baby is almost considered "Full Term!" Very thankful for that.
Still amazed that we have made it this far. Just a few more weeks to go, Lord willing!

Had a pipe issue last night with the piping from the basement to the outside spicket, but Pops Jones came and shut it off for me (Joe was at church all night) - was running around like a mad woman because there was water running down our house.....eeks.
Never a dull moment in home ownership I suppose!

Have some recipes to share - will try to post them tomorrow or soon! (Carmel turtle cheesecake, monkey bread and beef stew - yum!)

I'm stinking at taking pictures and I haven't been too photogenic these days either - maybe its because my face looks fuller and I feel like I have a double chin?? Oh well.
Caution - if you don't want to see a pregnant belly, don't go any further!
Cause here it is in all it's glory!!
My poor belly button - though still an "Innie," it's getting pushed to its limits!!

Right to Life Sunday 1/23/11

Joe forwarded me this email and blog post from Al Mohler. Definitely worth your time.


As we approach the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a decision the Supreme Court thought would end the national debate about abortion, Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. looks at two troubling abortion stories in the news to show why the debate rages on. In his article, "What About the Twins? The Deadly Logic of Abortion," Dr. Mohler writes the following:

The Christian revulsion over abortion and the destruction of human life is based in the knowledge that God is the Author of all life and of every life, without exception. Abortion is the business of death, and it is the great wound that runs through the nation’s conscience. These shocking accounts may sear their way into the nation’s collective conscience, but unless the basic logic of abortion rights is overturned, such accounts will erupt again and again.
Read the details in Dr. Mohler’s

"How do you Change a Diaper?"

Since Joe has never changed a diaper before, I asked him this question and here was his response:

"You unlock the diaper, take it off, wipe them with a napkin and put on a new one. Oh and without getting peed on."

I love him so much! Can't wait to begin this crazy journey together!!! :)

As it should be - GO BEARS!!!

Breastfeeding Class

Well, Joe and I attended a Breastfeeding class last night at Central DuPage Hospital.
Despite being very "visual" - eeks, it was very informative and I definitely came away with less fear and felt less affected by negative stories that I have heard. More ready to try it and succeed in it, Lord willing!
Also thankful to have lots of family and friends who help and support me in the process, the instructor stressed the importance of having a good network of support!

Here are some photos of the CDH facilities. WOW!

33.5 week appointment

How am I feeling? Pretty good overall. Just not sleeping as well as I would like. Peeing too much, some back pain, hard to roll over and get out of bed at night...the usual I guess!

Movement: Still lots of movement - feeling more up at the top closer to my ribs - which makes sense since the Dr. confirmed the head is down. That is GOOD news!!

Doctor’s Appointment? Had my 2 week appt today: Everything is looking good. Heart beat is 135, I am measuring right and weight is good I guess!

Sleep? Doing my best, want to go to bed earlier than I do...it's tough!

Weight Gain? 20 pounds

Baby Preparation? Not much in the last couple weeks. Looking forward to my showers that begin on January 29, so then I can hopefully get settled and have everything moved in and ready to go at least a week or two before the baby comes, eeks!

Likes/Dislikes? no real dislikes, just trying not too eat anything too acidic for fear of heartburn, but so far so good.

Milestones: Baby is over 4 lbs and 17 inches! WOW

Ethiopian Coffee

Click on this image to view the details.
I received this in my inbox yesterday and it made me SO EXCITED, not because I love coffee (though I will certainly try this blend :)), but because I pictured my brother-in-law and sister-in-law visiting this amazing place and knowing that I will have a little neice or nephew from this country by summer, Lord willing.

Very interesting details from the email:
Ethiopia: The Birthplace of coffee
Grabbing a cup of coffee with friends started with the Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
The coffee is poured into a Finjal, the ceremonial coffee cup, for sipping and savoring. This traditional coffee break highlights the importance of coffee in the lives of Ethiopian communities.


Just a little reminder in my day to slow down, enjoy moments with friends and family AND most importantly to keep on praying that the special day will come SOON where we know which little one the Lord has chosen to join the Jones family!! Will be a great, great day.
"Father of the fatherless…is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home" Psalm 68:5-6

Movie Review: The King's Speech

What?! You didn't know I was a film critic??? JUST KIDDING, I'm not. But I wanted to tell you about this movie that we saw last night. The acting was incredible, the story was interesting and moving, not to mention true and historical (which I love!!)
I definitely recommend that you see it (if you are an adult).

Go here for more info on reviews, the rating, etc.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1504320/

And let me know if you have any recommendations - we rarely go to the movies and I'm not up to date on them all, but we love hearing about what others have liked either in the theatre or to rent.
We are both big Inception fans as well - but haven't seen much else in the last months!

33 weeks!

Hooray! Baby is 17 inches and over 4 lbs - so thankful for the progress and that I'm getting closer and closer to "full term."
Next appt is January 18 along with a breastfeeding class that evening and then a hospital tour on February 1.
We're getting there!!

Restaurant Style Salsa

Ok - so I made this Monday night and we both LOVE it. Reminds us of the Chili's salsa that we both loved until they changed it a year ago or so :(

Ingredients
1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice
2 cans (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced Tomatoes And Green Chilies)
¼ cups Chopped Onion
1 clove Garlic, Minced
1 whole Jalapeno, Quartered And Sliced Thin
¼ teaspoons Sugar
¼ teaspoons Salt
¼ teaspoons Ground Cumin
½ cups Cilantro (more To Taste!)
½ whole Lime Juice

Preparation Instructions
Combine whole tomatoes, Rotel, onion, jalapeno, garlic, sugar, salt, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you’d like—I do about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.

Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour. Serve with tortilla chips or cheese nachos.


Recipe and photos are here:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/01/restaurant-style-salsa/

"Stay Calm, Dad" - Cute video

My mom sent this to me because she said this is how I talked and would have handled the situation. It's so cute!! :) Here's the clip on the Bonnie Hunt Show:
http://www.maniacworld.com/stay-calm-dad.html

More House updates

Well, it has been a busy week and a very busy weekend. We were gone Friday-Sunday at Jr. High Winter Camp up in Wisconsin. A very good and beneficial time hearing about the Atonement and learning more about our Redemption from sins and about God's wrath being poured out on Jesus instead of on us, but also very tiring! I usually work with the high schoolers, so it's nice to spend some time getting to know the Jr. highers more, but they are something else! wow, bless the people who worked with me in 6th-8th grade especially :)
Can't believe things are winding down for me - have several showers coming up in a few weeks and then just a month until my due date. WOW! Also weird to see coupon expiration dates later than I'm due. That makes it feel very soon!
Hope you all have a great week!

Here are some updated photos of the house!

31 weeks in 2011!

Happy New Year!

Wow - lots to be thankful for in 2011 and here are some goals I have thought up, inspired by my husband and another blogger :)
1. Learn to be creative with my times in the Word and in prayer because I know I will need to be fully dedicated and disciplined in this when the little one comes
2. Be more organized. This is just an overall all and in everything goal.
3. Spend less on groceries by wasting less, using what I already have on hand, taking better inventory BEFORE going to the store and being more simple.
4. Be more intentional with meeting with girls in the youth group and women my age who need encouragement or who will encourage me!
Ok - it's just the start of my list, because by the time april and may come, I may have some big diet and exercise goals, especially since I'm in Sissy's wedding on June 19 - eeks!





31 Week update:

How am I feeling? Congested with a cold, feeling slower, clumsier and have been waddling on and off now depending on if I have pelvic pressure and am uncomfortable or not...Also have had Braxton Hicks contractions for some weeks now.

Movement: Lots of movement - very hard kicks and jabs. ouch. especially before bed and early in the a.m.

Doctor’s Appointment? Just had my last monthly appt. Heartbeat was 140, measured 31.5 inches on my belly - everything is looking good, thank you Lord!

Sleep? Doing the best I can. Hard to sleep when congested, but trying!

Weight Gain? 18 pounds

Baby Preparation? Bought baby a rug at Land of Nod outlet, all my shower dates are set, so much more to come in the next month!
Oh and we picked out letters (A-Z) at Hobby Lobby and spray painted them red, blue, green and orange!

Likes/Dislikes? Been liking pretty much everything :) Especially snack pack jello!

Milestones: Baby is around 3.5 lbs and 16 inches long. Baby can turn it's head from side to side and he or she is about to have a big growth spurt including gaining some fat under the skin, maybe it can take some of mine :)