Madisyn

Small Photo shoot with our sweet pea =)

Our Happy Family

Praise the Lord, Our little bundle finally arrived! I got induced a week and a half early, and we are some thankful! She's already a week and half old can't believe how fast the time is going! We just love her so much!!

Birthdays! =)

Happy Birthday to me!! hehe

No baby...but that's ok, I didn't really want to be in the hospital on my birthday. Unfortunately, last ngiht/ this morning I could not sleep for the life of me. I had been up since 3, tossing and turning...sighing. Around 4 I woke Adam up because I was board and at 5 he asked if I was going to go back to sleep and I said no can't seem to. He suggested we go out to the beach and watch the sun rise! I'm never this awake that early in the morning, but off we went, it was soo nice and relaxing! Then he took me out for a breakfast and we came back and slept for an hour!

Mom and Dad came up in the afternoon to keep me company and help me get things in order in the house...and to treat me a bit :). I'd say it was a pretty good day!

My birthday present from Adam =). So I can enjoy the sun on our lovely deck!

Feels like summer =)

I am really bad at blogging so I decided I would just write whenever I get the chance and post small updates in my life. One big update is we finally got our house =). We're all moved in, but hardly near set up. Once everything is ready I'll post some photos! Another big update...baby is due in 3 weeks!! I'm hardly ready for her (house being not set up) But I really want her to come now!

It's been a crazy past month with house renovations, moving and birthdays. Last Friday was Adams birthday, but we celebrated Moms (which was Saturday) because it was a nice day and we wanted to something fun and outdoors. Then Saturday we celebrated mine and Adams at his parents house! It was a fun time.

Thanks to my parents and grandparents for birthday money we were able to get a vanity/medicine cabinet for over our bathroom sink! Yay bathroom is pretty much done! Then Thanks to His parents and the last of our wedding money (how it lasted so long we have no idea!!) we were able to get a really nice rocking chair for the Baby's room. Lastly thanks to his grandmother for giving us 2 really nice patio chairs, so Adam and I can enjoy our deck! =)

I'd say it was a good week of celebrating =).

First of June I was able to get away for a reunion with friends from College! It was great fun!

Us on the day we got our house! This is our "back" (more to the side) yard =)

Thought I'd post a photo of where I am today! haha The enthusiasm is kind of dying. But Not much longer :)

Our patio chairs and our nice little deck!!

Updates =)

It's been pretty crazy the last few weeks here! Some days I feel like it will be forever before I have this baby. Then when I sit back and look at it I can't believe how fast the time has actually gone! Before we know it, Lord willing we'll be welcoming our baby. So much has happened this past year and when I think about it Adam and I have been truly blessed, in ways we never expected. We can only thank God for everything he's given us and some of the lessons we've had to learn.

Coming up for us is the big move! We get our house...THIS WEEK! Thursday is the closing date, Adams pretty excited, I think I am too but my emotions are downplayed because I just want to be settled and having this baby! =) It's going to be a busy month for us, but soon we'll be able to enjoy it. Adam and Dad have it all planned out so we can get the house cleaned and ready for us to move in as soon as possible. We're looking at the second weekend in June as a move in date.

We saw our Dr. today and so far everything with the baby is looking good! She's already in the head down position (believe me I feel it these days!!) My Dr. wants me to go on long walks, so she stays that way and that her head will go further down (easier when it comes time for labor) Except I'm in so much pain now I'm not sure I want her head any lower! I can barely get out of bed these days and hardly sleep. I'm always running to the washroom...and by running I mean 20 minutes of trying to get my big belly out of the bed, slowly standing up and getting my legs to work, then walking like I should have a cain to the washroom. My husband is amazing though and he bought me one of those pregnancy pillows! I know it seems like a waste of money and you probably think how is that any better than a normal body pillow...let me tell you, it's made all the difference in the world! I can actually move during the day now! And I sleep a little bit more than I did with less tossing and turning. I recommend this pillow to anyone pregnant who cannot get comfortable. This is all going to be worth it soon and now I'm starting to see the finish line! Only 8 more weeks, I never thought I'd make it this far! =)

The weather has been such a drag lately, rain all the time with about one day of sun thrown in there. I know we shouldn't complain, but it's hard to feel energized when it's so dark and gloomy all the time. Unfortunately the lack of sun and heat hasn't done anything for the swelling I've had. I'm scared what I'm going to look like when we finally do get nice weather! Sunday evening I went to church and was fine, but part way through the message I had to take my sandals off because my feet were hurting a lot. After the service I went to put my sandals back on and one barely fit and the other not at all! I had to go home with one sandal off...it was just a bit embarrassing.

Photos of our Sweetpea and Easter

Our little Madisyn Faith smiling away, I loved how you can see the features so clear. I can count her toes!

I find in this photo she looks just like her father! Actually one of her little toes is going into her mouth and at one point she had both feet in her mouth!

Sticking her tongue out at us already!

We loved the whole experience, it was amazing and I can't wait to meet her!

I've been telling everyone that our little girl is really active and moving all the time, but then when I go to show them how she moves she stops! It's like she knows everyone is watching and waiting for her to give us a show =). I love her little movements and every week they're getting more define and stronger! Today it felt like her little fist ran across my stomach, and I'm starting to be able to feel shapes of her body now!

Unfortunately my feet were swollen today. I'm hoping it doesn't get too bad. Tuesday I go to the Dr. for my monthly visit so we'll see how everything is then.

Adam and I had a wonderful Easter. Our church and a few of the neghbouring churches got togetehr for a Good Friday service which was a blessing and wonderful fellowship! Then we went to his parents for the night and had a lovely supper and visit time with them. Then Saturday morning we headed to my parents place and spent the day with them. Sunday they were having some mmissinories present their work to our church so they came Saturday around supper time and we were able to visit with them which also was a wonderful blesisng. Actually she use to teach my brother and I piano when we lived back in Moncton, so it was really nice seeing their family again.

Now its time I relax and put my feet up, before we start another week.

God is good and given us many blessings!

Oh my where to start?! God has been soo good to Adam and I, I know we don't deserve it at all. I'll start off by saying that two weeks ago we found out our little Jelly Bean is in fact a little Sweetpea! We're having a little girl and we are absolutely thrilled =) (of course we would of been equally as happy with a boy too!) We already have a name picked out, because we had thought it was a girl for some time now we narrowed it down, and I don't think we could of picked a better name! We named her Madisyn Faith Marie, Marie comes from a long line of middle names, My mom my Aunt and me. Adam really liked the name Madisyn (spelt with a "y" instead of "o" thought it made it more feminine) Lastly Faith a name we both thought suited perfectly and has oodles of meaning! Aside from being biblical a dear friend of mines little girl is named Faith and she's a very special girl to me and I know she's won Adams heart too! The little girl is super excited to have our baby named after her and cannot wait till she's born.

It was so amazing when we went for the ultrasound to find out! We had a 3D ultrasound done, my parents were very generous in helping us out and were able to experience it with us, as well as my Grandmother (my dad's mom) as she had never seen an Ultrasound before! It was a very relaxing place they had a couch for the family to sit on and a big screen tv to watch it all on. Also we were allowed to send out links to a few close family and friends to watch the whole thing online! So those dear to us who are far away were able to enjoy the excitement too! You could see all the tiny features on our little girl, I can tell she's going to look like her Daddy, but that's ok considering I think he's pretty good looking ;). It truly was an amazing experience and we were all so happy and giddy afterward. Babies truly are a miracle and gift from God, I'm reminded of that daily!

Our second blessing and really answer to prayer is...as of today Adam and I are now home owners! For quite a few months now we had been praying for Gods direction in what we should do about our apartment situation. Right now we are not in a good one, due to the tenants below us that I will not get into. We had been watching Kijiji to see if other apartments would come up, but it is impossible to find a good apartment for a reasonable price. We were almost into a 1000 dollars a month! We started looking into houses, at first it was just an idea, then my parents came to us and asked if we had thought about it. With much discussion with both sets of parents and lots or prayer on everyones part we began the journey. It wasn't a super long process like it could of been but it sure did wear me out. We had set a price range in where we were comfortable spending and new we could afford, of course it's hard to find a decent house in that price range. We did find one, that seemed like the perfect house...key word seemed. The day we went to place an offer on it we prayed that if it wasn't meant to be God give us a sure sign, well once we got to the realtors office we found out that the day before the bank accepted the offer another couple had made. If that's not a sure sign I don't know what is, of course we were a little bummed, but we knew it meant it wasn't for us.

After another few runs at looking at houses we came across another one that peeked our interest...or should I say Adams. At first I wasn't to keen on it, judging by the photos it didn't look like it would suit our family. To please my husband I went with him to look at, and after walking through it and walking through the yard, I knew it was just perfect for our family! Putting all the boring details aside they came in under the max we wanted to pay for the house (which we thought they wouldn't) Which means we're getting a house and with everything included, we'll be paying the same amount for it as we do for rent now! Best part is...it's ours! A few renos that Dad and Adam can easily do and little bits here and there to do as years go by, but it's perfect! God is so good to us.

Little Madisyn has been quite the trouble maker these past few days, she gets right up under my ribs and starts kicking at me! Oh well I still love her. The closing date for the house isn't until May 26, we have a few things to do (cleaning and small things) before we start moving in, and we have to give our landlords two months notice (which would be May and June) SO we have the month of JUne to move stuff over. IT'll be a busy time, especially with baby due just around the corner after that buut exciting all the same. For now I'll enjoy a couple weeks rest before I have to get packing!

March Madness

Wow been a while since I wrote something, obviously I'm not very good at this whole blogging/journaling thing hehe oh well. I can't believe March is almost over! So much has gone on Adam and I have been keeping very busy.

I have recently taken up crocheting, as a way to spend some of my time. I thought it'd be a neat project to learn and I could make something for my baby. I got the idea one day when Adam and I walked into walmart and I went to the craft section and walked down the yarn aisle. I asked Adam if I could pick out a project to learn to do and work on and he was all for it. So I picked out a kit that said "Learn how to Crochet, easy crochet" I thought that should be easy. I also picked out three balls of yarn (The book came with a blanket pattern in it and I thought it should be easy to do) Seeing as we still weren't sure of the sex of the baby I picked out colours that could go either way. I got home opened everything up and went to the page with the blanket on it and thought "Oh boy what did I get myself into". I went onto youtube to se if I could figure this thing out and after a whole day spent on trying to get it frustrated I gave up. That weekend Adams mom showed me how to do it and what everything met, and I must say I've picked it up quite quickly. I've got the blanket 1/3 done (there's a lot of little tedious work to this blanket I did not realize haha) and I must say I am quite enjoying it. Two weeks ago I wanted a quick break from the blanket so I was looking at free patterns online and found a cute one for this adorable hat, so I challenged myself to do it, and I did it! It's just so sweet! So that's one way I have found to help take up time, I just need to be careful not to let it take up all my time as it can be addicting.

Also this month we finally had our ultrasound!! =) What an amazing experience! I loved seeing my little baby wiggle around and kick up a storm. I couldn't keep myself from laughing as the ultrasound lady would put the thing on my stomach on it and my little Jelly Bean would give it a big kick, I'd feel the kick and I could see him/her do it on the screen! I so wish we could of gotten some of the photos she took, but seeing as it's the law here we weren't allowed. They were just so cute and I wanted to look at the forever and share them with my family and friends. Although in 2 weeks we go to 3D miracles and we'll get some photos then, which we're pretty excited for! =) yay! Then we find out for sure if it's a girl or boy! Although we kind of have a good idea. You see before we went to the ultrasound Adam and I googled boy ultrasound photos and girl ultrasound photos, sow e could see if we could try and guess what it was (for fun). We had a feeling the lady wouldn't let us take a guess but she was very nice and let us take a peek down in the area. Looking intently at a VERY clear view (our little baby is not shy) We didn't see anything indicating boy (neither did we se anything indicating girl either) even though the lady couldn't tell us what it was for sure, she did say she didn't see any boy parts. Adam and I took it with a grain of salt (we really don't have a preference we just wanted to see if we could guess and we do find out for sure April 8th) Seeing as we think it's a girl that is what we've been calling it lately. I tell people she's a girl till someone tells me otherwise and I'd still be happy either way. Then today at my Dr. appointment the Dr. asked if we knew what we were having and Adam said that we think girl, the Dr. turns to me and smiled and said, don't waste your money on U C baby (the 3d place). Adam and I think that was his subtle way of saying that we were right!

God has been so good, because I was really nervous about the ultrasound (I had heard some stories of not so pleasant experience and was worried it'd happen to us) but we really enjoyed it and the lady was very nice letting us spend a good time seeing our baby, showing us all the different parts. I was also very nervous about meeting my baby Dr. I've never met him before and when I was really sick with my morning sickness I had a not so pleasant experience with a Dr. other than my family Dr. and therefore made me nervous going to someone other than my family Dr. But this OB/GYN has been very nice and professional. He is very thorough in his examinations when we go in. Takes his time, he even has a small scale ultrasound machine in his office so he can keep an eye on baby. You have to wait 2 hours pretty much every time to see him, but he's well worth the wait and we really are happy with him. Being a new momma-to-be I feel I have a lot of questions and sometimes feel like they're just silly questions but he's good at answering everything. I don't know why I ever worried, God is in control and I know I shouldn't be worrying at all. I find it hard sometimes and I get carried away.

Adams family went together and bought us a change table and it came in last week. We were very excited about that! Also we got some extra money and were able tog et the paint for the baby's room! We have the first coat on just waiting for time to do the second. I can't wait to start getting everything all set up =). Adams pretty excited too, he makes me laugh. I'm very thankful for the husband God gave me. He's been very supportive and encouraging when I was really sick. And even though it's been a crazy 5 months of married life, I know he wouldn't change it and he's just excited about this baby as I am. She really is a blessing from God and we're already learning so much form this experience. Learning to lean on God more and trust in him to provide, and that everything is his will even if we weren't planning he sure was! Also learning a lot about marriage and sacrificial love better! I know we want to do Gods will for our life and for HIM to be the focus of our family not each other.

Adam and I received a book for a shower gift before we got married. I haven't really touched it till this past week, and not because we're going through trouble or anything I just thought I should start reading it. It's the Love Dare book from the movie Fireproof (great movie if you've never watched it) except this is a 365 day devotional. I started reading it and already I have been encouraged to be a better wife.

This has been a long blog but I just had many things to share, Lately I've been and encouraged by others blogs and just had to get these things of my mind (even though they are good thing =)) I'm very excited to see what the coming month has for Adam and I!

Adam and I and Jelly Bean on St. Pattys day (or Green day as I call it)

Winter Blues

Well we're almost near the end of the February which means one step closer to spring and summer! I must say this past week was hard one. I'm really starting to get those winter blues as they say. I definitely have cabin fever, with all the snow and ice, this momma-to-be has been staying indoors. I must say I'm really not use to this staying home all the time. I do stuff around the house, but it's a small apartment and quickly I run out of things to do. Also I'm use to having lots of people around all the time, so I'm feeling a bit out of touch with friends and such. Anyways the last two days I've been really working at getting out of this blue stage and trying to find ways to be productive keep me occupied and spend my time.

Last week I was just flat out down, nothing Adam could say or do could cheer me up. I felt awful about it because I should be happy I have sooo so so so much to be thankful for and happy about. And yet here I was finding myself moping around, thinking of what I didn't have, or haven't gotten yet. How I have nothing to do and time is just going by so slowly. Complaining that this little Jelly Bean is inside of me instead of on the outside where s/he could keep me company. Then I started comparing myself to others and what they have and I didn't and how it didn't seem fair. I was doing exactly what I told my husband before we got married to let me NOT do, just in a different situation. I was feeling sorry for myself because I haven't had an ultrasound yet to see my baby, and it seemed everyone else who's pregnant under the sun has. Grant it, it's a very normal thing to want to see your baby and know everything is ok. BUT it's not ok, to want to see your baby and be jealous of everyone who does see it before you, and then not even be able to be happy for them. I quickly had to change my thinking and change my tune. I was not acting very Christian like and I was doing exactly what I had told myself I wouldn't do.

I am still a little upset that I haven't seen my baby yet, but not like I was. I am able to be happy for those who have and congratulate them. I remind myself to be thankful that I have a baby to see soon. It's still a month away before I find out if I need pink or blue items, green or purple. And at least another 3 weeks before I get an ultrasound. In the meantime I'll find ways to occupy my time and mind. Instead of dwelling on these things I should dwell on the Bible, read it more, think more on what I learned in church. I also need to get out of this winter blues I have a husband who loves me very much and does so much for me, and it's

not fair for me to act so selfishly.

I still have so much to learn before this little baby arrives, and I know that even once it comes, I'll still have lots to learn. There is a reason God has it 9 months to wait to meet the little one. Aside form genetics and baby development, mom and dad need to prepare themselves. Their lifestyles, the room, and most importantly our Hearts. God's sending us a gift that we can raise up in the ways that HE would have us to. We need to make sure we're ready for that task, mentally and spiritually.

God's Gifts

Today I am thankful for Gods gift of friendship =). Growing up you will go through many friendships...some will stay and some will go. The friends I had when I was 5 aren't the same friends I have today (partially due to the many moves), but each friendship in my life meant something and I always learned something from it. Somedays I sit andwonder, "Whatever happened to so and so, we were so close at one point and now I never see them". With facebook it's been easier to keep in contact with some friends and reconnect with old friends. Though it's never quite the same as it was, it's kind of neat to see where everyone has gone in their life.

This past weekend my husband and I took a trip to New Brunswick to visit some very close friends of mine. We went for very important birthday for a very special girl. This friendship started 7 years ago at the birth of my friend Vanessa's daughter. Starting out with chatting at church, then I started babysitting for her and very quickly it grew into a strong bond of friendship. We started hanging out and becoming like sisters (even though she had 3 already, I never had one so I enjoyed it ;) ) What most people find funny about our friendship is...the age difference. Vanessa is 11 years older than me, and we met when I was 13! Hard to believe you could be friends and such a young age with a big age gap, but here it happened. Now here we are 7 years later celebrating the birthday of her daughter whom I love dearly! Vanessa has another child who's absolutely adorable, and now I have one on the way. Hard to believe we watched each other go through different stages of life and struggles and were always there for each other. Now watching her little girl grow up and go from the "cute kid" stage to beautiful little girl stage, is exciting and heart breaking! I can only imagine what it's going to be like when I have to watch my baby grow up and how somedays I will want to wish them little forever!

I am very thankful for the encouragement Vanessa and her husband have been for us. After I meet Adam he quickly grew to enjoy the company of them, and greatly appreciates their friendship too! He's frequently calling Brad and asking him what to do about my moodieness and if it gets any better ;) in which Brad assures him it does. It's been great getting to know them and watching the little ones grow, I look forward to many visits in the future =)!

Another person I am very thankful for is my husband, he's my very best friend and does so much for me! These past few months have not been easy, especially for being newly weds, and he's been so good and patient. I know he loves me and he shows it outwardly, in fact when I got really sick, my Dr. mentioned to my grandparents at how he was so impressed with Adam and the way he looked after me and was concerned for me! I love him so much and I know I don't tell him nearly enough. I am very thankful for the months God has given us together and pray for many more to enjoy.

Plan to get Active

This past few weeks have been weeks where I'm trying to figure out, what to do and where to go. Now that I'm starting to feel better (a lot better!) I'm starting to get a little bit of cabin fever. I'm not use to being home all the time, with not much to do and no where to go. Also not to mention my energy level is still at a minimum, so though I may be feeling better, I still get tired pretty quick. I have applied to a few jobs as I feel I should be working a little bit ( just to save my sanity even) and help my husband out some, but as of yet no luck (not that I believe in luck). The past week I was really starting to get discouraged, I've been kind of feeling like this off and on the past couple months. Even though Adam and I are VERY excited about this little baby, it wasn't really our plan (though I do know it's Gods plan! =)). Now I'm trying to figure out where I fit into this plan, and if I'm suppose to be a photographer, how am I suppose to get my feet of the ground and started. If I want to get the equipment I need to get business started then I need a job, I can't get a job because no one seems to want to hire a pregnant lady. Also in the last month I turned down two weddings I could of done because they were around my due date. I was very discouraged because I felt like that was a way to get my foot in the door...to get experience and get my name out there.

This sad, pity-party thinking is coming to an end! Somedays it's hard, especially when to you have a lot of time on your hands to sit and dwell. God has a reason for this baby, and for it coming into our lives at this time, and instead of sitting around feeling sorry for myself I need to start doing something about it. First off, one good thing about a baby, is I will always have a cute adorable model available 24/7 for me. This way I can practice, and get promotional shots...and who doesn't want 25 million (exaggeration) photos of their baby =). We most likely won't need to take our baby to a professional photographer (Money saver!!) because I am one! Also, this baby provides me with a foot in the door! When you have a baby who else are you going to meet buut other mothers with babies!! Where as before I didn't know anyone, or hardly anyone. So those are all exciting things that can happen once the baby's born ( not to mention all the other exciting things that parents get to experience that we are thrilled about!) but what about now, here I have free time, and nothing to do. Well answer to prayers this week I did pick up some work with a photographer I was working with before Christmas. Not a lot but a little bit through the week. Plus I started thinking, and I really do need to get things organized, Finish old photos of mine that I haven't finished. And start thinking about the future, ways to improve my skills, help me stay creative and ways to inspire me. Start thinking about ways to get my business started. There are many things that I can be working on, and I don't need to sit around feeling sorry because I'm not going anywhere.

Now the key is to keep this ambition. I find myself many a times getting inspired and motivated one day and the next back to the same old routine. I really pray that I start to do something and go somewhere, I would really like this education to pay off one way or another. I have this urge and desire and passion to create, now I just need to go out and do it!

A Thankful Heart

"It is impossible for the seeds of depression to take root in a thankful heart."

This is a quote I saw in someones facebook status recently. She had mentioned that it was a quote from the book "Laughter is the spice of life". As soon as I read this quote it hit me right at heart. Lately I've been a little down with being so sick and everything. As much as I am excited about this little baby growing inside of me, it just seemed that there were a lot of inconveniences. Plus the whole fact that I spent my entire Christmas watching everyone else eat Christmas dinner, sweets and leftovers while I picked at my potatoes and occasionally took a mad dash to the washroom. In my sad sorry state I was feeling nothing but pity...for MYSELF. Now I look back a realize how inconsiderate I was being. Many people would give anything to have a baby and be where I am now. I decided to do a self examination and realized that I did not have a thankful heart. Then and there I decided from now on, no matter what the circumstances I will try my absolute hardest to be thankful.

Besides I have many things to be thankful for. Starting with the amazing husband God has given me. Even in the hard times he was there for me, cleaned up after me ;), stood strong in his faith and reminded me that this is Gods plan for our life. Secondly I am thankful for the amazing family I have, and the good grounds my parents have brought me up on. I've learned lots from them, and pray that I can be half as good parent as they have been. I am also thankful for God and his understand and his Grace and mercy for us. So many times I fail him, and yet the Bible promised me that he will never leave me. Lastly (but not finally, because I could go on forever on what I'm thankful for) this little miracle baby, though I didn't understand why at first and even if it seemed not the right time this baby has been and will be a blessing in our life. It's a gift from God and I should always be thankful for the little life he gave. I pray that I will be a good parent and live a life that is pleasing to God and that someday my children will grow up to serve God in anyway they can.

Today I am choosing to be thankful!

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." Psalm 100:4

Snowy Covered Days

This is my first blog and I'm not quite sure what to say just yet. I've been debating for sometime whether or not I wanted to blog but I have had so many thoughts and just know way to share them lately. It took me some time to figure this blog thing all out, but I think I got it now ;).

It's a blizzard out today, church tonight has been canceled and my husband says the roads are terrible. On days like today I enjoy curling up with a good book and enjoying some hot chocolate =). The only problem today is with my morning sickness I haven't quite enjoyed hot chocolate these days, and most my days are spent reading. Oh well God has a plan for it all and just to think in 6 months I get to meet that bundle of joy. It's caused me great griefs the past couple months but I'm sure it will be worth it all in the end. For now I'll just listen to the recorded heartbeat I have and remind myself of God's promises.