Good Bye August!

School has begun again and boy is it exhausting! I have a fabulous group of 5th graders and a fantastic co-worker to go with it. So the start of the year has been great. Today, we had our Labor Day day off which I must say was great because I have needed an extra day to recuperate. I'm hoping to make it to November without having to stop working so that I can save up my days off for after Sara comes, just in case she needs her mommy! But here's kinda a before/after shot of my class. 

 My class was also fortunate enough to watch the rocket launch from Vandenberg AFB last week! They were sending up some sort of satellite. It was just really cool because the whole school stopped what we were doing and sat out on the front lawn to watch it! The kids loved it!

 

Jason has been hard at work this month too! His job keeps him very busy and he's been sending a lot of different airmen to many different places for trainings and deployments. So his days have been long and extremely busy seeing as he is needed by a lot of different people. I am very proud of the hard work he does because he does it so well and many people give him good compliments for all he does for them. :) The one day this month, someone hit an electrical line which caused the alarm in their armory to become disarmed. So people from his shop had to take shift guarding all the guns. This is Jason hard at work: 

 This labor day weekend was one of the hottest weekends since we've been here! Which was not very good for my poor preggo body, but we went to the beach and it was actually like we were on a California beach with the sun shining! Kyle and Stephanee came into town and it was Brillo's first time on the beach. It was very relaxing!

 While my brother and sister-in-law were in town, we had to go to the yummy flatbread place out here. Not only is it delicious, but it's just a cool place to take people. They have their own garden out to the side and there were some beautiful flowers. And they have twinkle lights outside, so we decided to capture the moment.

 We also found a fun place where you could pick your own apples!! Golden Delicious were the ripe ones right now and it was really fun! We were only there for maybe 15 minutes because it was so hot... but it was just a place we all weren't use to having around, it was the first time for all of us, and it was just a neat experience. I took a lot of pictures, because it was just such a different experiences! AND I can show little Sara what mommy did while she was cooking!

 It was so nice having family around for even just a weekend. My body just got tired a lot and made it hard to get through the full day without passing out. It's sad to see them go. :(

Baby Girl Predictions

The most exciting thing about having a baby is the game of what is she going to look like. I have a fear of carrying a child for 9 months, going through the whole labor thing and then she looks like neither one of us. At least I want some sort of proof that all my hard work paid off by someone saying "she looks so much like her daddy" or "she looks so much like her mommy". I thought it would be fun to write a post about what Jason and I think she's going to look like and then come back and see how we were to the actual truth.

Mommy's Prediction

Eye Color: Blue
We both have blue eyes, so it'll be weird if she ends up with something else!
Hair Color: Blonde/White
I had very blonde hair growing up. Maybe it'll be a little darker when she's born though.
Skin Color: Fair and maybe blotchy
Just a guess really.
Bald or Full Head of Hair: Full Head of Hair
Maybe not long hair, but the ultrasound shows that she DOES have some hair!
Hair Type: Straight/Crazy
I have straight, weird hair and Jason has curly, thinker hair. So I think she'll just have crazy hair that sticks straight up everywhere.
Who Will She Look Like: Me
I'm only saying this because I secretly want a mini-me. Obviously she will probably look a little like both of us, but I have a feeling she might look a little bit more like me.
How much will she weigh: Somewhere in the 9 pounds
Jason was 9 lbs 3 oz and I was 9 lb 6 oz... Sara is basically already 2 pounds at only 25 1/2 weeks. So I have a feeling she'll be a big one. :/
How long will she be: 21 inches
Just a guess. I was a little more than 21 inches. Daddy and I are both tall, so I think she'll be pretty lengthy. 
Arrival: On Time
I was on time, and Jason is pretty punctual, so I think our little Sara will be pretty close to her due date for November 11th. :) Although I secretly hope for November 12, so her birthday will be 11-12-13!
Bad Traits She'll Probably Get:
1. Big Nose: Daddy has a larger nose.
2. Bad Skin: Mommy has wretched horrible skin. She'll probably have something wrong with hers too!
3. Different sized thumbs: Poor Mommy has been teased her whole life because of her different sized thumbs; so who knows! Maybe I'll have a little mini me with misshaped thumbs too!

Daddy's Prediction

Eye Color: One Green/One Blue
I am usually torn between these two colors as my favorite, and wouldn't it be cool for her to have one of each!  Pretty!  Realisticaly, I guess blue, Melissa and I both have a tint of blue.
Hair Color: Blonde
I had blonde hair and so did Melissa, plus it's very beautiful.
Skin Color: Mother of Pearl
Because we're both white.
Bald or Full Head of Hair: Full head of hair
At the 25 week ultrasound she had hair!  25 weeks!!
Hair Type: Thick and Wavy
If she is any thing like my Dad's side of the family-her hair will be thick, wavy or curly.
Who Will She Look Like: Melissa
If she stands a chance of ever getting married (I got real lucky with my silly face!)
How much will she weigh: 9 lbs 5 oz
I came into the world at 9 lbs 3 oz, and Melissa was 9 lbs 6 oz...so I simply found the mean and rounded up to the nearest tenth, dur dur dur.
How long will she be: 21 1/2"
We both arrived within 1/4" of each others length, so again I rounded up ;)
Arrival: 15 minutes early
As the military says...if you are not 15 minutes early then YOU ARE LATE!
Bad Traits She'll Probably Get:
1. My big nose: I have trouble drinking out of small diameter cups
2. Too analytical: sometimes I can not take a joke because I will over analyze 
3. Moody: She is a GIRL people!

And now I leave you with a few pictures of us and what sweet little Sara might look like in a few months. And we cheated and have a 4D picture to compare too!

James Jason Lawyer
Born on May 27, 1983 at 7:30 AM (His due date)
Weighed 9 pounds 3 ounces
His length was 21 1/2 inches

Melissa Nicole Thomas
Born on April 29, 1986 at 7:19 AM (Her due date)
Weighed 9 pounds 6 ounces
Her length was 21 1/4 inches














Sara Nicole Lawyer 
Born on ???
Weighed ???
Her length was ???

An Orange and Pink Event

Some people may call me crazy, but I would call it being creative and productive. I planned my own shower, and I did exactly what I wanted and it turned out exactly how I envisioned it. I wanted it to be laid back and just a fun time to hang out and catch up with people. No pressure to do silly things, I didn't want all eyes on me all the time, and I just was excited to share small moments with everyone. It was great!

But of course... I could NOT have done it without my helpers. Mitchi and Stephanee my sisters-in-law who helped put together different stations we had and worked very hard during the shower. Carolyn, Monica, and Tobi who flew up to Vandyland to accompany on my drive home to Vegas AND who worked so hard during the shower. And my Mumsy who put together all the food and dessert and helped me out when I was all alone. I love my family and friends and I'm so happy for all they do for me!

SO! Here we go! There's lots of pictures. We decided to have the shower at the community center where our wedding was held. They still remembered us and were SO happy to have us use their space again. So here are two shots. One of the room when we used the inside part for our wedding and one from the shower. I love seeing them next to each other.

Wedding Room

Baby Shower Room

Then come the totally awesome dessert table. I fell in love with this table! It turned out Ahhh-MAZING!

 

My next favorite table, which was a VERY close second favorite. Was my little Welcome Table. We had the pictures I've been putting up here on there,  her name, the "Guest Book" which I didn't take a picture of. It was The Giving Tree and people signed on the inside. Then they filled out their "Hopes and Wishes" cards for the baby to read when she's older.

Whitnie's company and her handy work! She's awesome!

Hopes and Wishes cards!

 Then there were the tables. I found some pretty pink and orange flowers and despite the plastic covers.. it looked pretty cool. And all the candles made the room smell yummy.

 I didn't take a picture of the food... because it's food and not that interesting. Just sandwiches and salads. But the drinks were pretty; Pink Lemonade and Orange Crush. And the straws were awesome.

I even had to make the water bottles pretty!

We didn't play any games because they're lame. So we had a onesie decorating station where people were able to give our baby girl a little piece of them. We got so many different designs and people did such a great job! My baby has SO many onesies waiting for her. 

 Then there was little old me. I was NOT planning on wearing orange and pink. It just kinda happened. I found the dress on sale at Target and thought to myself "I don't think I would look extremely pregnant in that dress" So I got it and then wrapped a thick pink bow around it with some pretty pink shoes. I felt very comfortable and pretty.

 

Thanks to everyone who shared this event with me, and if you missed it; just know I missed you too! 

The Amazing Race

 This past week I was lucky enough to be a part of the PCA Camp up in Horn Creek, CO. This was my 11th year going, 8th as a counselor. Due to my "condition" I knew I wouldn't have enough energy to be a full blown counselor, so I was in charge of photos and the end of the camp video. It was a blast, but also a little tough for me. I missed being a part of the HS kid's lives and listening to how they solve problems together and how God was working in their life. So I struggled a lot with knowing my place and knowing where I belong. Some of that, I believe, also comes from being pregnant. I'm in this "No Man's Land" time of my life where I don't feel a part of my "old" life, but I have no idea what the next part of my life has in store for me yet. So it's a weird time in my life right now.

 

The theme of the week at camp was "The Amazing Race", and we focused on our race as Christians, what the prize was, and how to preserver. The one story that stuck out to me was about Abraham and Sarah. They left everything, their comfort, family, everything. They waited on God's promises even though they didn't know when they would come. But they kept their eyes on the prize, they looked towards Jesus and the city he created. They saw the glories of living with their God as more important than anything else. THEY had faith that looked beyond their circumstances in order to preserver. It reminded me a little of Jason and I. We're up here, by ourselves, we left all we knew behind. The only difference is... we've kinda given up. We were very excited to see where God was going to lead us and how he would use us, but we've just turned up discouraged. We haven't found a church we feel apart of, or spiritually challenged, and we haven't really found much opportunity for ministry. But the story was an inspiration for me, of Abraham and Sarah, it gave me hope and a reason to preserver. They went through crazy trials and periods of waiting, but they kept their end goal in mind, and I want to be able to keep God in mind instead of falling into a hole of self-pity and laziness. They could have easily done that, but they chose to set their minds towards the city of the Lord.

 

Another thing I loved about this week was the music. There was one song we sang called "Shine Into Our Night". Really, it speaks for itself and pinpoints exactly what I've been feeling. And that's what I'll leave you with tonight.

We are not what we should be

We haven't sought what we should seek. 

We've seen your glory, Lord, but looked away. 

Out hearts are bent, our eyes are dim

Our finest works are stained with sin.

And emptiness has shadowed all our ways. 

Jesus Christ, shine into our night 

Drive our dark away

Till your glory fills our eyes

Jesus Christ, shine into our night

Bind us to Your cross, where we findlife

Still we often go astray

We chase the world forget your grace

But You have never failed to bring us back

Reveal the depths of what You've done

The death You died, the victory won

You made a way for us to know your love.   

 

June is over... that means the first day of school is closer...

It was great seeing our families, but it's also been nice being home. Not to mention being away from 117 degree weather this week! Bleh! I've been enjoying my week off! I forget sometimes how nice it is just to rest and do things I enjoy! OR enjoy cleaning and organizing the house while I have energy! Jason has been getting into the swing of things; he was kinda forced too. But this upcoming week he'll have the Fourth of July off and that next Friday, so he's happy about that.

Together we've done quite a bit this week. Most of it has to do with the baby... I still can't believe we're about to cross over into this next stage of life. We first decided we needed to tackle the registry. It was stressful and it's still not complete. It started out fun with the laser shooter and we thought we were off to a great start when we got to our first item, the crib. But then we went on to the strollers where we spent about 20 minutes playing with them, pushing them, taking them apart and putting them back together. One was really frustrating. We knew we wouldn't get that particular one becuase it was so ridiculous; but we just HAD to figure it out. From there it was kind of just all stressful. Bottom line is I didn't really like Babies R Us all too much and I think I'm going to go register at Target as well!

 

 This week we also went to a Baby Expo on base. First off, it was nice to do something on base and feel like we were a part of something. Second, it was good information and our minds were sparked with some new ideas. My personal favorite part was watching Jason put on the empathy belly and do things like sitting, bending over, and laying down! It was good for him to have somewhat of a feel for what we go through. Then I got some information on cloth diapers! Never did I ever think I would even have a second thought about it, but seeing them and the practicality of it... we really are weighing our options now! But it's something to think about since we'll have to do day care too.

Our babies! hehe

 We haven't done much with the baby room. Just started moving things out of that room and figuring out where everything will go. But when we were pregnant the first time, we came across a pack and play for REALLY cheap! As in... on sale, hopefully it's not cheap quality. We decided to put that together to see how we did. It started off as my project... then turned into Jason's! But it worked. :) Now to take it apart...

 The week ended with our FIRST warm day on Wall Beach which is on base. So we took out a blanket and soaked up the sun for about an hour. Just listening to the waves and enjoying life!

Baby Girl

Now that the secret is out... here's the story behind the journey!

Originally, I think Jason and I both kinda assumed the baby was going to be a boy. I think I did because I have two older brothers and just thought it would happen like that for me. And Jason did because... he's a boy too! So we were a little surprised to find out it was a little girl! But we are both very excited about it too!

So the story starts with Whitnie Selby who is the owner of My Baby Bump Imaging AND one of my good friends! We've been talking about this moment since she first became an ultrasound tech and it's so great that we finally got to do that! I am SO glad that we waited until we were home in Vegas because Whitnie made the whole experience so much happier! Her office was so comfortable and we were watching on a 110" screen! It was awesome! She was also really good at pointing things out and telling us what we were looking at. Plus she was just SO happy! Which made us more excited. So much fun!

Whit and I

It's a girl!

Our little monkey. This is my favorite picture.

 So, Whitnie gave us a DVD and after weeks of figuring out how we wanted to tell our families, we decided to play the DVD for them and it says midway through "It's a Girl!". So Jason's family was first. Unfortunately, the video doesn't work on my bloggy blog blog. But here's a still shot.

Then it was on to Vegas. We made a little bit more of a big deal for them becuase we made them wait till we came home from Ohio. But it was so important for us to tell them all in person! Being in Cali all alone makes it hard to share news in fun ways. So we were thrilled that we would get to share this part of the pregnancy with them in person. So we first made them all chose pink or blue.

 

So we played the video for them. And then when my extended family came, we held up a blue and pink balloon and Jason popped the blue one. Surprise! Everyone was excited! We'll now have FIVE little girls running around in the Vegas bunch!

So excited!

And of course... we told the virtual world by using our piggies! I know I'm crazy; you don't have to tell me twice! But it was SO cute! hehe. And they all seemed to look over towards the direction of the ultrasound picture and it just worked perfectly.

Jason and I also had fun finding cute little baby outfits from our colleges! It's so much fun.

 Last but not least... we discovered that the little girl takes after daddy. It makes me giggle! haha We can't wait to meet her and we're just praying for a safe and healthy rest of the pregnancy. So if you think of us, pray for the little monkey girl growing up in the belly. :)