Our 1st Parenting Class

Is this for real?! We are going to be parents. Watch out.

I am going to be delivering our little guy at Baptist Women's Hospital (the same hospital that I was born in. How cool is that?!). When I found out that Baptist offers several parenting and birthing classes, I was quick to sign us up. Our first one was May 28th and so worth the time. I definitley recommend it for any first time moms and dads. In August we will go to the all day birthing class and touring of the hospital, but this first class was all about what to do once you bring your baby home.

We learned how to change diapers (of which I have changed hundreds - ranging from newborn to 500 pounders). Will handled it like a pro (of course, there was nothing smelly in that diaper yet).

The 2 nurses teaching the class (who were hilarious and very knowledgable) asked for a volunteer...everyone looks around the classroom...then adventurous Will decides to raise his hand. They proceeded to place a 7 month pregnant body suit on him along with a hospital gown. Hilarious. Then they dropped a pen on the ground and asked him to pick it up so that the guys would get a feel of how difficult it is for us girls. I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes! I love that he volunteered and had a great time with it.

We also came away with great info about how to take care of little man. I now feel slightly less nervous and anxious about his arrival. :) Looking forward to our birthing and hospital class!

23 Weeks

Whew! I'm running behind on my posts lately (a post about our time last week at Middle School Camp coming soon)...so here is the (very late) 23 week post about our little guy:

Progress: 23 weeks

Size: Just over 1 pound (about the size of an ear of corn)

Development: His skin is growing faster and blood vessels are developing underneath. He is also moving around quite often - somersaults, kicks, and punches...and I love it!

Symptoms: A noticeable baby bump, which means a shopping trip is in my future. :)

The Best 1st Mother's Day

What a sweet day May 8th was this year knowing that a tiny little one was soon to come in a few months. My husband was incredibly thoughtful and sweet and made this day very memorable. The night before he handed me this menu and asked for me to make my selection. :)

Then at 5:30 the next morning (we arrive to work at 6:45am on Sundays) he had breakfast in bed for me. A sweet note from Will was on my tray, as well as a gift card for a pre-natal massage (gonna love that in few months!), and the food was on THE Red Plate! For those unfamiliar with the Red Plate, some background: both Will and I as kids ate special meals (birthdays, holidays, milestones) on this same plate (in the picture below). It comes with a marker that you write on the back the date and about your special day. I had mentioned to Will a while back that I would like to have this tradition with our children, and he not only remembered that I said this, he also ordered it in advance (I could never find it in the stores). It was a BIG deal when I got to eat the delicious breakfast he made me on Mother's Day on the Red Plate. Love him!

Oh! And I had no idea that there is a Red Mug & Saucer too!

Blueberry Turnovers

A new dessert recipe! Looking in my fridge, I noticed I had a can of Pillsbury Cresent Rolls and a can of blueberry pie filling...so, I started brainstorming as to what I could make with both, and here's what I came up with:

Blueberry Turnovers

Ingredients:

1 pkg refrigerator crescent rolls

1/2 can blueberry pie filling

1 cup powdered sugar

1/8 cup milk (or less - you want the mixture thick)

1/2 tsp vanilla

cinnamon & sugar mix

• Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mix onto wax paper. Thoroughly coat each triangle of crescent rolls on each side with the mix.


• Spoon 1 Tbs pie filling in the widest portion of the crescent triangle, and fold the corners toward the center. (See picture above)


• Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until golden (and no longer doughy).


• Mix the milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla together. Drizzle over the crescents after they are finished baking.


• Serve with vanilla ice cream & enjoy!

1st Ultrasound & Boy or Girl?!

Friday we went for the 20 week check-up and for my first ultrasound. A friend had advised me to drink lots of water (so that everything could be seen clearly), and another friend advised that I drink caffeine (so the baby moves around so we could see boy or girl). Will and I went to bed about 9:00pm (we just couldn't wait 'till the morning), and we woke up bright and early. We were so excited, like it was Christmas morning! And I took the advice of my friends and drank 32 oz. of water and a coffee...yes, I was about to bust by the time we made it into the dr.'s office. During our ultrasound, we both were speechless at everything that we were seeing! I couldn't believe that not only could you see the head, but also the brain; the heart, and all 4 chambers; the spine, and the lining of it. I just kept thinking, "God you are AMAZING!" The nurse, a sweet friend of ours, said that everything was looking "pretty" and then...came time for the announcement of boy or girl...

As the picture came on the screen, I knew before the words were out of the nurse's mouth - It's a BOY!!! Overcome with excitement, tears started streaming down my face (and Will teared up a bit too). We are so looking forward to meeting our little guy!!!

Friday night was the leadership cookout, and Will announced about baby BOY McKay by spraying his hair blue. :)

18 weeks & a pic

Update on Baby McKay:

Progress: 18 weeks

Size: 6 inches, .5 lbs (size of a mango)

Development: The baby can yawn, twist, roll, kick, and punch. The nervous system is maturing rapidly. Nerves in the brain are specializing into the ones that serve the senses of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. :)

Symptoms: None!

Highlight of the week: We are clearing out the guest bedroom and have bought the paint. Lots of work to do! I feel so strange taking pics by myself, but I know that I will want to look back and see the progress. Sunday was the Senior Girls Tea (I became a little emotional saying "good-bye" to the girls and realizing it was my last Tea to plan. A few of the girls I taught in Sunday School when they were in 8th grade, and now they are graduating High School! Time flies!) This shot was taken at the Sr Tea, and you can tell the little one is growing!

Please excuse my very tired eyes, as this was taken at 11:00pm after the work day. (*Also we are finishing up painting our living room. That is why one of the walls is still beige and the others are yellow.)

"Received"

I go through cycles when listening to music. When I find a new artist/album, I will listen to it over and over...and over...for about a month, then I put it away and find a new one. Earlier in the week I was looking back through the "discarded" CD's in my car and came across "Rocks Won't Cry" by Shane & Shane. Definitely one that I wore out in college, and I decided to give it another go this week. Do you find that sometimes you listen to music because you like the artist, the beat, or the melody? Many times we are singing along without even realizing the words we are singing...that's what happened with the 1st track on "Rocks Won't Cry" for me. When I pressed play on Monday and heard that 1st song, "Received", it was like I was hearing the words for the 1st time. The words are powerful, true, and convicting. At any moment I could fall into the "trap" that it is talking about. Take a listen...