Pregnancy Update: Week 31

Baby is the size of: A larger head of lettuce (19 inches)
Symptoms: I feel like I need to start doing the hormone dance. I am beyond emotional right now. Maybe its the move, or the stress of the holidays but I am freaking out a lot easier nowadays. Also, my body is aching! I have taken on a pretty distinct waddle. I don't know how he can get any bigger without me tipping forward. 
Sleep:Adjusting to all of the new sounds in a new house is exciting yet anxiety ridden for a scaredy cat like me. I am just getting used to it. Luckily, I have been so exhausted from the moving and painting that I have been falling asleep fairly quickly. It is the staying asleep that is presenting the most problems. 
Fun moment this past week: The move! Okay, it hasn't been fun but it is exciting to come home to a place that is ours. Painting with all of our friends last Friday night was a good time to just relax and laugh (maybe it was all the paint fumes?). Also, my friend Mary Riddick bought Dalton and I the cutest story ever. It is called My Secret Angel and Me. The Secret Angel is a guardian angel that God sends down to watch over the children and report back to God about the behavior of the children. It's like Elf on the Shelf but it actually teaches about the meaning of Christmas. In the package they even include a little angel that you move every night around the house. I have always loved Elf on the Shelf but this has a lot of meaning and I can't wait to start it with Dalton. 
Movement: He is so active! The kicks and jabs have definitely subsided but I think it is because he is getting bigger (a great thing!). He rolls and I have a lot more shifts this far along. It is still so exciting every time I feel him. We have our quiet time in the morning when it is just the two of us and I just pray over his active little body as we lay in bed preparing for our day. I look forward to it everyday!
What I am looking forward to this week: This week we are getting settled into the house which of course includes, furniture shopping! Scott's Antique Market is this weekend in Atlanta and I do not think Jonathan knows what he is getting into. WE are so excited to go and spend ALL day on Saturday looking for pieces for our house. WE may even be the first ones to arrive!
Reflections over this past week: This has been such an interesting week. With the move my emotions have been very high. I go between being very excited about the future in our new home, to very anxious because now we are in the house, which means the next BIG thing for us is Dalton's arrival. We knew the time was going to come, he can't stay in my belly forever! But the fear of it all is setting in. Last night at small group we talked about hope. Not realizing hope and optimism were two totally different things. Optimism is thinking things are going to be okay based on past circumstances and what you already know. Hope is having faith that everything will be okay because you have put it all in the Lord's hands. With all the research I have been doing, I think the optimism has gone completely out of the window, where my hope can sometimes falter- something I really need help focusing on. I can say I have all the hope in the world until I turn blue in the face, but do I really feel it in my heart?
Prayer requests:This week I ask for prayers for our hope, that it be strengthened during this difficult time. We ask for our hope to grow as the days go forward and our anxiety only seems to get higher. We ask for prayers for all of your hopes to grow in our situation. Not to look at what is happening to us as something depressing but to look at it as a time to learn and grow in your own faith. I also ask for prayers for baby Hallie, as her due date nears. Last but not least I ask for prayers that the true meaning of Christmas is not lost in all the craziness that is inevitable with the holiday season. 


Oddly enough, I received my daily devotional yesterday and this was the verse that accompanied it. I think it just goes to prove that God truly does know what is in our hearts and what we need at certain times. 


“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”-Romans 15:13