Time Flies

Last night we received a gift in the mail, which included a "big girl" sippy cup for Abby. Thoughtful, right? Well, this girl bursts into tears. Jared was dumbfounded, wondering why I didn't like the gift. However, I told him that I was tearful because I just felt like Abby was growing up too fast.

I mean really.

Obviously, hormones are kicking in, and I am just emotional that I will soon be meeting my little munchkin. But honestly, the past 36 weeks have flown by so fast that I can only imagine how fast time will go when we have our Abby to enjoy and love. As my mom put it, the sippy cup was just a reminder to cherish every day.

So here I am at 36 weeks! The doctor says delivery could be any day now...

We are ready for her here at home! Bags are packed, car seat's installed, and her nursery is just about complete.

Check out the cute mobile my mom and I made!

Stacey

If she wants to rock, she rocks...

Every time I sit in the rocker in Abby's room, I think of one of my favorite songs (She Rocks) by one of my favorite artists, Eric Hutchinson.....but I digress.

The nursery is coming right along, and I am so happy with the sweet little rocker we rehabbed for the room. I found an old thing beat up thing on Craigslist and had a vision!

Jared worked hard to sand it.

And paint it.

Then we recovered the seat, and Mom made an adorable little pillow.

So cute! Soon I'll be rocking (and rolling, thanks Eric Hutchinson), with my little munchkin!

Stacey

Cutest Closet

So one of my favorite past times lately has been perusing through Abigail's closet. I'm definitely liking it more than my own closet these days! I just can't get over how tiny and adorable all of her clothes are and how soon there will be a little body in there to squeeze.

Last week I made some little organizer tags to separate her clothes by size.

Did I just give away how Type A I am? :)

Stacey

From the heart

How is it possible that I have yet to see, hold, or kiss my little baby, but I am already so infatuated by her? I am now 33 weeks...so only 7 more weeks to go. And while I've got plenty to do before she gets here (i.e. sleep), I could not be more ready to meet her. With every kick, squirm, and jab I feel, I get more excited to tickle those toes and kiss those elbows that I am certainly feeling of hers.

In the mean time, I am piddling away in her nursery organizing and making the space perfect just for her. This week I made something to hang on her wall! It's a little heart...since she's already grabbed ahold of mine.

Stacey

Feeling Crafty

So I've been feeling extra crafty lately...not in the casting spells kind of way, but in the arts and crafts kind of way...so don't worry.

After our sonogram a few weeks ago when the technician literally laughed out loud about how much hair Abby has...bows are in order!!!! So this week I made Abby a cute little bow organizer.

This project was SUPER easy, and I think it turned out really cute, so I thought I'd share.

I covered a canvas with extra fabric from her bedding.

I added ribbon by hot glueing the ends on the backside of the canvas.

Viola! Perfect on the inside of her closet door.

Stacey

A Chance of Showers...

The weather called for showers last weekend and more in the forecast for this weekend! Baby showers, that is! (groan, moan...sorry, I couldn't help it.)

I was so blessed to be showered with love and gifts for Abby this past weekend in Dallas. Paige, her mother, my sister, and my mom all hosted the most perfect shower with special touches. Along with adorable and much needed baby goodies, each guest brought their favorite children's book for Abby with a personalized bookplate. Jared and I have been enjoying reading them to Abby all week and can't wait to read them to her when she makes her debut.

Here are some pics from the shower!

Abby has the BEST grandmothers!!!

What a treat to have so many of my Baylor girls together!

My parents made personalized books for Abby! So creative.

At the shower, each guest wrote a birthday with for Abby to open each year.

All in all, it was such a great day. Thank you, thank you to all my friends and family who made it so special!!!

Stacey

What's in a name??

Abigail Katherine. Yup, that's my little girl's name! That little squirmy, button-nosed pumpkin of mine.

At our baby shower that our friends threw us in Nashville, we got to see Abby's name on lots of things for the first time. Cute, adorable, precious things that I look at everyday!

Seeing her name in cute swirly pink makes things so much more real for us!! And I know it's the perfect name for our sweet girl.

The name Abigail reminds us of the strong and wise Abigail Adams, First Lady and wife of our 2nd President John Adams. I pray my Abigail always knows she has a voice and strives to do what's right, as her namesake did many years ago.

The name Abigail reminds us of Abigail from the Bible who is one of the most faithful women in the Bible. I pray my Abigail grows to be a woman of integrity as her namesake lived long ago.

The name Abigail reminds us of two sweet sweet little girls -- our flower girl in our wedding and the first blind student that truly touched my heart-- and brings us strong memories of kind, gentle, and strong spirited little girls.

Lately, the name Abigail reminds us of how blessed we are and how excited we feel to meet our new family member. Lately, the name Abigail makes our hearts swell with love.

Stacey

Mother-To-Be-Day

Yesterday was my first Mother's Day...or Mother-To-Be-Day. As I near the end of my 2nd trimester, this whole "Mother" thing is becoming much more of a reality! Sometimes it's the most amazing feeling in the world, and I don't think I can possibly wait another second to meet little Abigail. The next minute, I panic, wondering if I have what it takes to be a good mom.

Jared's favorite quote is, "God feeds the birds," meaning He promises to take care of us and will always provide. A few weeks ago at church, the preacher shared a sermon that brought to light how divine God is through the ways that mothers care for their young in nature. They know just what to do.

Yesterday morning bright and early, I took a walk around the ponds in our neighborhood. I saw this mother and her little family. It made me smile.

I know that I will have what it takes to be a good mom, and that God will provide me with moments of peace, patience, and comfort when I need them most. He has blessed me with MY amazing mother and Jared's mother as wonderful examples for me to follow.

My little girl and I shared many sweet kicks and somersaults yesterday, and I feel closer to her everyday!

Stacey

Rip Your Pants!

The phrase "Rip Your Pants" holds a special meaning to my sorority sisters...it basically means "work your butt off" or "do your best," and it derived its meaning when one of our girls danced so hard that she actually ripped her pants.

I was reminded of this memory today when I noticed that I had actually ripped my pants. I take that back. I am blaming it on the washer/dryer/GAP manufacturing. I washed my jeans last night, so that had to be it. Although, the largeness of the hole may or may not have been increased by my lunges across the kitchen this morning post-jean-washing.

Obviously, I drove as soon as possible to the nearest GAP maternity, demanded (politely asked) that my jeans be replaced, changed in the dressing room, and left a new woman! Kudos, GAP!

That all being said, I am spending the rest of the evening studying for a Braille certification exam that I take tomorrow. And to that I say, "Rip Your Pants!!" But, not really this time.

Stacey

A Bump Here or There

Today one of my preschool students clunked his head on the playground and wound up with a giant goose-egg on his head. I wasn't there to see it happen, but he was sure to tell me all about it. He told me that he didn't cry any tears, but he was crying a lot on the inside.

This week has been a little bumpy for all of us. Questionable blood work (Abby's fine), an ill grandparent, throw in a little family drama...well, life happens, right? We know the bumps will come.

Maybe it's just the pregnancy hormones talking, but I tend to think that crying on the inside is overrated. It's okay cry a little cry and let someone know how you're feeling. Then our friends can do their best to bend down and kiss it all better. And sometimes we just need to let the alligator tears roll when no one is looking. That can be awfully therapeutic.

I know I have friends making difficult choices and family members who might need a shoulder. I promise you can cry with me...I won't tease you on the playground.

Stacey

A Near Miss

This week I realized that I totally forgot to go back by the OBYN's office to pick up my DVD of sonogram photos and video clips from our 20 week appointment. (Does this make me a negligent mother already?)

Since then, I've literally spent hours goo-goo-ing over the clips and photographs, already smitten with my little angel. (Angel now, of course, because I'm still able to catch all my winks and she's not out galavanting with boys....)

I even called my parents over to see them as soon as they could. That's when we noticed THIS picture.

Before you have a "Rachel from Friends moment," I know it's hard to tell... but that's her hiney, her legs, and .... UM....What is that THING between her legs????

Freaking out that my SHE is really a HE, we immediately sent the pictures to a sonographer friend. Of course I would be happy with a boy, but this mamma just needs to KNOW! And those of you who know me well can imagine what a tizzy I was in at the time.

Low and behold, sonographer friend saves the day. That THING is the umbilical cord. WHEW! She's still a girl. :)

Don't you just want to eat her up???? No? Just me? Oh, Okay.

I guess I'll just go back to watching her sweet little mouth moving and her arms and legs wiggling. Good thing the Bachelor's over and Oprah and Gossip Girl are showing repeats right now...

Stacey

The Wiggles

This week was all about the WIGGLES!

No, not these Wiggles. These guys creep me out. Big time.

I'm just referring to regular old normal wiggly kids. Not sure if everyone had spring fever this week, or it was just because it's Friday today...but we ALL had the wiggles. Wiggly feet, fingers, toes, minds....

One student was so full of energy today that I dared him to bunny-hop all the way from his classroom to my portable in effort to wear him out. He was up to the challenge....but it didn't do the trick!

Someone else has had the wiggles....and that would be sweet baby Abigail! I've been able to feel her for a couple weeks now, but this week she's seriously taken it up a notch! I feel her SO much all throughout the day. Jared even felt her kick for the first time on Monday. I guess there's a possibility that all her wiggles mean she's pissed at me ("no more cheese, Mom!" or "No, don't curl up like that!"), but I consider them love pats.... I certainly do love them!

Stacey

It's a GIRL!

Yesterday ranks up there as one of the sweetest days of my life. Jared and I got to see our little baby's button nose, adorable little profile, hands, feet, and tummy. We got to see her move, squirm, grab her toes, and open and close her mouth. The doctors told us that she looked perfect, and of course, we learned that she's a SHE! We couldn't be more pleased.

THEN, we got to share this exciting news with some of our closests! We asked everyone to wear pink or blue based on their guess, then we revealed our big news and our sweet baby girl's name. It was such a special day that I will remember forever!

Dad thinks it's a boy....

Paige is a flip-flopper!

Of course, I've thought it was a girl all along...

Jared had thought it was a boy, but has been telling me for the last few weeks that he really secretly hoped it was a girl....

Time for the reveal....DRUM ROLL please!!!

Cheers and tears!

It's a GIRL! Abigail Katherine Chambers. Love.

Proud Parents.

We are so so so happy and thankful for all the people in the world that already love our baby girl.

Stacey

Psycho

My 3rd grader informed me this morning that my baby will be a boy. For sure.

Me: How do you know?

3rd grader: My mom's a psycho.

Ummmmmm......

Me: Do you mean she's a psychic?

3rd grader: Yes.

Ahhhh. I see.

Speaking of psycho....let me just tell you a little something about pregnancy hormones. They're legit. And listen, I am NOT complaining. I have been extremely blessed with the best pregnancy so far. I have never felt better in my like. (Don't worry, I am knocking on wood like a mad woman.) The only reason I can actually tell that I am pregnant, besides the expanding stomach, is that I cry at EVERYTHING. Say baby, and I cry. Oprah, forget it. I actually cried reading "Baby Bargains" last night when I thought about registering. And to be quite honest, I cried at a Subaru commercial while writing this post (you know, the one with the father talking to his daughter in the driver's seat?). Legit I tell you.

So, speaking of psychic...I predict lots more tears from here on out. And I predict that maybe JUST maybe we may find out if my 3rd grader is right on TUESDAY. :)

Stacey

Hi Baby!

The kids in one of the PreK classes I visit are VERY excited about Vladi's arrival (aka Baby Chambers). Every time I visit the class, all the the little girls run up and say, "Hi Mrs. Chambers! Hi BABY!!!" One of the little girls even drew me this cute little picture.

Do you see baby Vlad?

The kids in that class are getting more and more excited everyday, and so am I! I'm embracing the "bump!"

And Jared is embracing Daddy duties! No pickles and ice cream runs yet, just lots of foot rubs. And back rubs. Not because I'm sore or anything...just because I can pull that card for the next 5 months. This weekend Jared also put together the crib! He couldn't wait.

Max and Buddy....they're not so sure.

Stacey

Baby Bump

I'm officially 16 weeks pregnant today, which made this conversation with my PreK student particularly fitting:

(Student is sitting on my lap reading a book)

Student: Mrs. Chambers, is your baby coming out today?

Me: No...not for a long, long more time!

Student (with his hand on my tummy): But Mrs. Chambers, your stomach is so much bigger!!!

Well, yes, I guess it is...

Have a great weekend!

Stacey

One Hundred

So it's a big week! We've officially been in school for 100 days (dear Lord save me!) AND my baby is officially 100 days young this week (only 178 more days to go!) That's a lot of 100's, which means there's so much to be thankful for!

Here's a few:

1. SO thankful that my sweet little guys and their family had HEAT during Texas Blizzard 2011. Wohoo!

2. In disbelief that one of my students could NOT wait to surprise me with the fact that he read, wrote, and practiced his flashcards EVERY snow day. If that's not a miracle, I don't know what is.

3. So grateful that the Bachelor is on Mondays. Nothing can get you through the Monday blues like a cup of chocolate ice cream, Our Host Chris Harrison, and a little Bachelor drama....even if I DO spend have the time hiding behind a pillow.



4. Maternity pants. Seriously...it's like the pregnant woman's mullet. Business on bottom, party on top.

5. Angry Birds App. Not so much sure if this is actually something I should be thankful for or not, as it seems to keep me awake at night and distracted from conversations with Jared at home. Hmm...I'll work on that.

Stacey

Knocked Up

Well, it's official!! I'm having a baby! Honestly, the words don't even seem real, even though I've been saying them now for almost 13 weeks. And little Vladi should arrive August 5th!

Thanks, Vladimir Guerrero, for getting a base hit for the Rangers during playoffs when I had had a few too many beers and promised to name my first child after you.... whoops.

I am sure the next 6 months will be interesting, as the only indicator that I am with child is the (extreme) emotional roller coaster I have been riding. Weee! I'm just giving anyone fair warning if you plan to:

a) watch TV with me, particularly any programming involving animals, babies, families, or current events

b) cross me

c) say something nice to me

or, dear Lord,

d) go to church with me

In all seriousness, I have been overcome with what a blessing this new journey is and truly feel so blessed and grateful for this gift. We'll have a new piece of work in our lives before we know it!

With that, I will leave you with a few of the funniest comments my elementary students shared with me when I told them the news:

-Wow! You are going to get a SERIOUSLY big belly.

-Your stomach is going to hurt REALLY bad for like 5 minutes before you have the baby.

-It's going to kick you right in the stomach!

-I'm not sure if I'm going to like your baby. I have to think about it.

-Will you still be my friend?

Stacey