Flood Ahead

When I moved to the lake to be with Blake as he started his new job at a hunting lodge near the MS River, I had no idea that I would soon be surrounded with river water. The MS river had risen drastically and we were having to drive to town on a levee within the first 2 weeks that I moved there. Our drive to the nearest grocery store is about 35 miles-- so imagine how long it takes on a bumpy, gravel levee where cows have the right away! It was terrible. Animals that once roamed all the land available to them, were now bunched up on the few tiny spaces that were not flooded with water. Homes were literally under water. So sad. Thankfully, the water did not reach our home that is NOT on stilts like most homes here are.

It looks like the worst is yet to come as far as flooding goes in the next few weeks. It has been all over the news and they are already warning us that our homes could possibly be flooded. I desperately hope this does not happen, but at least we have a "heads up". Please keep us and all of the residents here in your prayers as we prepare for this historic event. To learn more I have posted a link below:
Forecasters predict record flooding along MS River - WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS:

Today has been a beautiful day. We would have loved to have been able to make it home this weekend but this past month of driving back and forth has literally tired me out. Living out of my suitcase was getting a little irritating...so, we took the weekend off and stayed on the lake. We started it off by attending the service at Eagle Lake Baptist. Came home and relaxed for a bit. Then we headed to the lodge and did a little fishing. Well, Blake did some fishing and Missy and I lounged on my lawn chair and read a book. I wish I had some pictures to share but my camera is broken. Hoping to get a new one before little man arrives anyway :) Speaking of little man....I ordered his coming home outfit today. Of course, you already know....It is camo. His Daddy is so proud.

Now, we're back at home...watching a good game between the Braves and the Giants and frying up some deer meat. One craving that has not faded since I have been pregnant is fried deer meat! I wish I could post the scent of my house in this blog right now for you. It is amazing.

We plan on being pretty lazy for the rest of the evening. Blake has tomorrow off so we are hoping to finish cleaning out the extra bedrooms. I have no clue how we have managed to acquire so much "junk" over the years.

It's hard to believe that this time next year we will be celebrating Easter with our baby. Although I cannot wait to shower him with precious gifts from the "Easter Bunny", I hope to instill in him the true meaning of Easter. Our Savior died so that we may live and continues to bless us although we are nowhere near perfect or deserving. I am so proud to be a child of God...especially today.
Happy Easter!

6 months

6 months tomorrow? Really? It seems like yesterday we were finding out about this little man. Days like today, I feel that time has really flown by but there are other days when I feel like August is never going to get here.

Mason now weighs just over a pound and is about the size of an ear of corn in length.

I am feeling him move around every day now and it is wonderful and so very reassuring. You can definitely tell that I am pregnant now! I have had the hardest time finding things to wear lately. Thank God for big sisters who have been through this before :) Thanks, T.

We have picked out the paint color for Mason's room. My big project for this week is cleaning out our two extra bedrooms so that we can get started on it. His bedding has arrived and it is adorable. I can't wait to see it all come together. If you know me, you know that I am so very organized and love to plan (I've heard this may change after babies). I think I have already developed the nesting fever. I have been cleaning out our entire house in order to prep for our little boy's arrival.

I will be going to the doc a week from today for our monthly checkup. I'm going to schedule our 4d sonogram at this visit. I can't wait. This whole experience has been so amazing. We experience something new every day and with each day that passes, I know that I am one day closer to meeting our precious baby boy. God has truly blessed us beyond our wildest dreams. I've said this before and I'll say it again....I deserve nothing He has given me. I am just a thorn in Your crown, Lord...but thank you, thank you, thank you for loving me anyway.

I have been up since 4 this morning. Blake slowly but surely stole my new preggo pillow during the night, so sleep just wasn't happening for me. Guess I better get used to that. Speaking of my preggo pillow....best thing EVER. It is the most perfect thing for a good night's rest when your belly is growing like crazy. My belly is definitely growing like crazy.
This is Blake the weekend I got it. I think we may need to invest in a second pillow....

I have been on cloud nine since Tuesday. We have a son on the way. This is so amazing. Blake is just beside himself--I'm sure this isn't hard to believe. I can't wait to see him with his boy. I have no doubt in my mind that he is going to be the best daddy. The look on his face when he feels Mason kicking is just priceless. It is the cutest thing. He just smiles and giggles.

We will be 22 weeks tomorrow. Time's a flyin'!

It's a.......

BOY!

This has been one of the best days of my life. I went to bed pretty early last night in hopes that morning would be there before I knew it. Of course, I woke up every hour to look at the clock. I ended up waking up at 4. I cooked breakfast, cleaned my house, watched a few Baby Storys on TLC and then started to get ready for the big day. I even texted my Mom at 5 this morning. I was too excited. Blake took off work for the entire day so I woke him up at 8 singing :) He is not a morning person AT ALL but he, surprisingly, didn't growl at me. He was excited too :)

We left the house a little early. Blake had to get fitted for a tux. He is in a wedding in June so we knocked that out of the way. We ate lunch. Well, Blake ate lunch. I was so nervous I could hardly even look at my food. I am not real sure what I was so nervous about but my stomach was in knots. Finally....the time had come.

My mom and Blake's mom met us at the hospital. My appointment was at 1 but we waited for 15-20 minutes before we got in. At this time, all of our phones were blowing up with "What is it?" "Is it a girl?" "It's a girl, right?!". (There were lots and lots of girl predictions) Finally, my name was called and we were ready for our life changing moment to begin. We waited in the room for 5-10 minutes. Blake began to play the penny toss game. Heads-boy. Tails-girl. He was anxious :) My favorite nurse was our little helper today. She performed the sonogram and asked us all before she started what we thought it was. Of course, Blake said BOY. I didn't want to say. I actually have not even told many people what I thought it was this entire time because I was going to be happy either way and I didn't want to be wrong. The nurse told me she needed one very last guess and I blurted out BOY. I mean I have been having dreams about a sweet baby boy almost every night for several weeks so....

The fun began.

It was instantaneous. She said, "Okay, do you guys want to know what this baby is?!" Blake yelled out, " It's a boy." I couldn't tell because I was laughing so hard at Blake. Nurse yells, "It IS a boy!!." Music to my ears. I was so excited. I can't even begin to express to you how excited I was in that moment. A beautiful boy. A very beautiful, active, baby boy. He was putting on a show for us. He waved. He bounced. He kicked. I loved seeing his little fingers move around. It was so amazing. Nurse said everything looks perfect. He is perfect. No more he/she. Meet Mason Laws Barber....

Halfway there!

Well...we are halfway there! 5 months today. I have grown a lot over the past few weeks. Some days, I wake up, look in the mirror, and think I may have swallowed a cantaloupe in my sleep :) I am feeling the baby every day which is so wonderful. Not real strong kicks just yet but he/she is definitely having a big time in there. I will be so glad when I don't have to call the baby he/she anymore. Less than a week!

Blake has been so sweet and helpful. I am already not sleeping very well. My back has been killing me. He has now given up his man chair (the recliner) each evening since it is the only place I can get comfortable these days and he rubs my back when it is aching. Last night, I was lying down and Blake had his hand resting on my belly. He laughed. I asked him what he was laughing for and he told me with a smile that he got another high five from the baby :) It makes me so happy that he can actually experience the whole pregnancy thing with me to some extent. I can't wait to see the look on his face when we find out what we are having Tuesday! We are both so thankful for this amazing gift that God has blessed us with.

To Baby B: You are finally letting Mommy know you are in there! I am so excited. I love you so very much.