Bringing Home Baby

Josh's Birth Announcement

We wanted to share our the news of the birth of our son, Joshua. We were overwhelmed with gratefulness to the Lord for a quick delivery & for both a healthy baby and mommy! We are loving being parents and wanted to share our little one with you! Love, Jon and Megan

Make your own greeting card

Joshua Reuben Arrives!

Josh was born on September 28th at 1:08. He was 7 pounds, 3 oz and 20 inches long. We are loving being parents & can't believe he is already two weeks old!

Here is our last "preggo" Joshie picture ~



We arrived at the hospital at 5:30am to be induced. I started off 3 cm dilated & 80% effaced. After three tries at an IV ~ one was successfully put in & by 7am my pitocin drip had started. At 10:30, I was 5 cm dilated & in much need of my epidural :) The epidural helped (eliminated...really) the contraction pains & at noon, I felt like it was wearing off. I called for the nurse because I was feeling more pressure than I had before & did NOT want to feel the contractions again. My nurse was in a delivery, so another nurse came & decided to check me. My epidural was not wearing off...I was complete! The pressure I was feeling was his head...she could feel it when she checked me. By 12:30, the room was ready for delivery & I had already begun pushing. I pushed for about 40 minutes ~ and he arrived! We were both healthy & we are so grateful to the Lord for a quick & smooth delivery.

Most of our family was able to come up for the delivery or just after to see us in the hospital. It was a sweet time & we are grateful for the gracious help they have been to us in the days since. Joshie's Aunt Casey & Cousin Nattie even came up to surprise us! It was so fun to have them with us!

Josh's Nursery

Here is a preview of our little one's nursery! It is finally completed!

Preggo Update: Week 38

Week 38: The Baby Bump

Pregnancy Highlights for the Week

How Far Along: 38 Weeks

Dilated: I'm dilated to almost 3 cm.

Effaced: Not sure...she didn't say...but I'm guessing more than 50% effaced

Time Line: Most likely this week!

Contractions: Mild to moderate ranging from 7-12 min. apart

Lost Mucus Plug: Check!

Bloody Show: Check!

Just waiting on our Joshie boy to come!

Preggo Update: Week 37

Week 37: The Baby Bump

Pregnancy Highlights for the Week

How Far Along: 37 Weeks

Dilated: I'm dilated to almost 2 cm.

Effaced: 50% effaced (with a VERY soft cervix) & lost my mucus plug!

Joshie's Countdown

Somedays I wonder why the baby in that bubble to the right doesn't get any bigger ~ he's still all floating around...my Josh isn't doing that. My belly button is disappearing...my skin is getting tight & I am rather LARGE & PREGGO...and I can tell you he doesn't have that much room anymore!

Pregnancy Update: Week 36

Week 36: The Baby Bump

Pregnancy Highlights for the Week:

How Far Along: 36 Weeks

Dilated: I'm dilated to 1 cm.

Effaced: 50% effaced & lost my mucus plug!

Size: He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long.

Baby changes: Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely he's in a head-down position (PRAISE THE LORD---He is!). But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying he'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

Best Moments this week: Thinking my water broke & taking our first trip to the hospital! Jon and I were pretty peaceful & ready in the midst of the surprise! However, my water had not broken & I was sent home!

Movement: His hiney moves from my left side to my right side & I can feel little feet pushing out on my belly.

Food Craving: None...been much less hungry lately.

What I miss: Painting my own toenails

Sleep: I've been sleeping much better & heading to bed earlier as I am getting up earlier to work long days. My sweet husband rubs my feet every night before we go to bed & that usually knocks me out!

What I am looking forward to: Our crib coming this weekend, my mom coming up to help out & Josh coming soon!

Symptoms: backache

Joshie Update!

I'm now 35 & 1/2 weeks preggers ~ and I'm dilated 1 cm & starting to efface. I've started having contractions about every 30-40 minutes. My doctor does not think I will make it to my due date! She thinks I will probably hold out another 2-3 weeks ~ but told me to start watching for my water to break & for my contractions to pick up into full labor. I can't wait for our little man to come ~ so exciting!

Maternity Pictures

Our brother-in-law, Jason Coobs, is a really talented photographer. He normally shoots weddings & engagement sessions...but we asked him to shoot some maternity pics for us while we were up visiting them. He graciously said yes! Here are just a few of my favorites!

PS: You should really check out his blog & see his other work! :)








So these last two are not necessarily maternity pics ~ but so fun of 'brothers being brothers' & sisters together. We cracked up that Jas & Jon posed exactly the same even though we did NOT prompt them or tell them what to do! So funny!

Pregnancy Highlights for the Week 35

Week 35: The Baby Bump

Pregnancy Highlights for the Week:

How Far Along: 35 Weeks

Dilated: I'm dilated to 1 cm. Hoping to hold off another two weeks so we can make it "full term" ~ at 37 weeks.

Effaced: Nada.

Fruit/Veggie: HoneyDew Melon

Size: Josh is clocking in at five & 1/4 pounds and could be as tall as 20 inches by now.

Baby changes: His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Best Moments this week:
1) Josh moving down ~ so less indigestion!

Movement: Kicks & punches from little hands & feet ~ less ocean like as he continues to grow! Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same.

Food Craving: Healthy stuff...salad, apples, bananas...bring it on.

What I miss: Painting my own toenails, the freedom to pick up children,

Sleep: My doc is now letting me take Tylenol PM which is helping slightly. I'm now working full time which is helping as I am exhausted by bed time!

What I am looking forward to: Our crib coming in & getting Josh's room finalized!

Symptoms: back ache, indigestion, insomnia, uncontrollable belly movements!, swelling

Our Bumps!

Last night at our childbirthing class Jon got to experience pregnancy by wearing an empathy belly which simulates pregnancy ~ urge to use the restroom, fetal movements, lung constriction, ect... He made a fantastic preggo man! He was able to deliver his "baby" after an hour & was very thankful the time had come :)...just 44 more days (hopefully!) till I get to deliver!

Pregnancy Highlights for Week 34

Week 34: The Baby Bump

Pregnancy Highlights for the Week:

How Far Along: 34 Weeks

Fruit/Veggie: Cantaloupe

Size: Josh is clocking in at five pounds and could be as tall as 20 inches by now.


Baby changes: The vernix (the white coating protecting your baby’s skin) is getting thicker. This week, a boy's testicles start making their way down. In other baby-related developments, those tiny fingernails have probably reached the tips of his fingers by now — and getting ready for that first postpartum manicure.

Best Moments this week:
1) Beginning to be able to tell which parts are kicking, rolling & moving across my belly.
2) Seeing Jon wear the empathy belly!

Movement: Like the ocean...he moves alot!

Food Craving: Food? Right now food = indigestion...so we aren't great friends.

What I miss: Sleep, seeing my toes (or anything below my waist), being able to take a bath & not worry if I'm going to be able to get out on my own.

Sleep: Sleep? What is that?

What I am looking forward to: Our crib coming in & getting Josh's room finalized!

Symptoms: back ache, indigestion, insomnia, uncontrollable belly movements!, swelling

Funny Mom Video

This is pretty funny mom video about the struggles most moms face in their day to day lives. Oh, what I have to look forward to as I embark on motherhood...Enjoy!

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Bigger Baby Belly!

Here are my most recent pictures at 32 1/2 weeks!

Baby Shower in Tulsa

My mentor, Susan, graciously hosted a shower for me here in Tulsa ~ It was such a blessing to be able to celebrate with new friends ~ as well as family that could make it in. My mom, my sister in law, Casey & neice, Nattie flew in Tuesday & spent some time with us ~ and helped finish decorating the nursery ~ finished pictures to come soon! My dad's sister, my Aunt Maryellen & two of her girls, Ali & Jana ~ as well as Jana's little one, Chevie, were all able to join us at the shower! It was a sweet time and special to hear from my mom (who gave a sweet devotional) as I embark on becoming a mommy too!

Week 32

Josh is now officially 32 week gestated...if thats even a word? A little under 8 weeks to go to my due date! Yay!

We are thankful that ~

- My pregnancy has gone as smoothly as it has up until this point. No gestational diabetes or any other complications yet!

- For the blessing of another shower here in Tulsa to help meet our new Joshie needs.

- Auntie Jen & Uncle Jas were able to feel Josh moving & grovin this past weekend!

- Uncle Jas took some super maternity photos!


Josh's Update:

By now, baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in my uterus.



I'm gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Josh's skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth!



Mommy's update:

By now, I am getting quite large. Josh is riding pretty high ~ and likes to kick me in my ribs. He moves so much my belly looks like the ocean waves some days! I am getting more tired and more uncomfortable. I have started swelling pretty consistently ~ I think working & being on my feet more has alot to do with it. A week or two ago if you had asked me if I was ready, I would have told you no....but now I am getting closer to having that answer be a yes. The Lord is gracious to sustain me & allow me to continue to work & so for that we are grateful!

What else is new??:

Jon is going to get to try on an empathy belly this week at our parenting class! I'm quite excited about this! Jon will be able to feel fetal movement, have bladder pressure, and back pain! This video helps you see what all the empathy belly entails ~ the first part of the video is the best ~ I would just watch the first few minutes :)

Providencial Provision: A JOB!!

At one point in time, we wondered whether making the move to Tulsa was 1) wise 2) financially feasible 3) in the Lord's will for us ~ at this time and for the past few months ~ the Lord has been confirming to us ~ all three of those things.

God has graced us with provision ~ both financially and spiritually. Over the past few weeks, the Lord has graciously provided to help us meet our monthly needs. From the start, the Lord provided us with a church that provided solid, biblical teaching and surrounded us by a church family that has been genuinely encouraging and welcoming.

One of the ways He is providing for us ~ is by providing me a job! I started yesterday working at KinderCare with them knowing ~ it is just temporary ~ for the next 9 weeks! No strings attached ~ no pressure to stay after Josh arrives! This is a HUGE blessing as I was having trouble finding anyone who wanted to hire a preggo woman who could only work for a few weeks!

We are overwhelmed by the Lord's kindness and goodness to us ~ and are grateful for how overwhelmingly clear it is that the Lord had a plan woven already for us to live here in Tulsa & that He will continue to provide for our needs. We are learning to find contentment and joy in Him alone through it all!

Week 30 :)

Week 30 is here! 7 (really 6 & 1/2) more weeks till I'm considered full-term!

Josh is about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in my uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

My Very First Blueberry Buckle :)

Yesterday, I used our fresh picked blueberries to make a buckle! I've never made a cobbler or compote (on my own) ~ so this was an adventure for me! I am in love with trying new things ~ Its has been so fun to try out new recipes & have the time to do so. It was quite yummy!



Alton Brown's Blueberry Buckle
Ingredients
For the cake:

* Nonstick cooking spray
* 9 ounces cake flour, approximately 2 cups
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
* 5 1/4 ounces sugar, approximately 3/4 cup
* 1 large egg
* 1/2 cup whole milk
* 15 ounces fresh whole blueberries, approximately 3 cups

For the topping:

* 3 1/2 ounces sugar, approximately 1/2 cup
* 1 1/2 ounces cake flour, approximately 1/3 cup
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg (I used cinnamon ~ about 1/4 t.)
* 2 ounces unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

Directions

For the cake:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Spray a 9 by 9-inch glass baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and ground ginger. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 1 minute. Add the egg and beat until well incorporated, approximately 30 seconds. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture and beat on low speed just until incorporated and then add 1/3 of the milk and beat until incorporated. Repeat, alternating flour and milk until everything has combined. Gently stir in the blueberries and pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.

For the topping:

In a small bowl combine the sugar, flour and nutmeg. Add the butter and work into the dry ingredients using a fork to combine. Continue until the mixture has a crumb-like texture. Sprinkle the mixture on top of the cake. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 35 minutes or until golden in color. Cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Week. Twenty. Nine.

Third Trimester ~ well, hello! You snuck up on us! Seriously, has it really been six months since I took those 5 pregnancy tests??? Yes, 5... We wanted to be REALLY sure. So much has happened since then ~ Jon turned 24, I turned 23, Jon and I celebrated our very first anniversary!, Jon's job search continued to an end ~ interviewed & hired, I finished teaching my very first year AND survived even with TAKS testing, and we moved to Tulsa. Ummmm, maybe thats why I am wondering where the time went???

Josh is 11 weeks away from popping out of my lil' easy bake oven ~ today is 80 days! We really can't WAIT...okay maybe I can wait ~ I have to admit I'm not looking forward to labor ~ its called labor for a reason you know. Jon on the other hand ~ is very ready. Its so fun to watch him grow ~ as he continually grasps the idea more fully of becoming a daddy to our little one. He has been so gracious throughout the whole pregnancy ~ to take care of me through nausea, crazy cravings (making runs to the store or restaurants after long days at work!), absolute exhaustion (which meant staying home with me after being home all day), and many, many, many other things which have not gone unnoticed. He is a gracious gift to me ~ and I am so grateful I the Lord has allowed us to become parents together.

Here is an update on Josh:

Josh's SIZE: This week, Josh is the size of a butternut squash! He most likely now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel.

What I'm LOVIN': Josh has started moving consistently enough that at night (yes, mostly at night)~ when I snuggle up to Jon ~ Josh will kick him!

Joshie's DEVELOPMENT: His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. He can open his eyes and will turn his head towards a source of any light. His sensory organs are well developed. His fingernails and toenails are growing and he is beginning to regulate his own temperature. The bone marrow is completely in charge of production of the red blood cells now. He even urinates about a half liter of urine into the amniotic fluid every day.

Belly, Belly, Belly, Belly....Belly Everywhere!

I haven't updated belly pictures in awhile ~ so here are a few!


May 27th ~ Last Belly Picture in College Station!


June 18th ~ First Belly Picture in Tulsa!


July 4th ~ Growing bigger all the time!

Nursery Work Day

I was blessed to have my mom, Jon's mom and Jon's little sister, Meg, come to help deliver all our packages from our latest shower & set up Josh's new room! We had lots of fun & got lots accomplished! We painted part of the wall and side table red, organized the closet, set up our new glider, put a few things on the walls, ran errands, made returns and best of all ~ found antique dresser to use as a changing table!

Granna and Grammie worked hard to paint the wall brick red to match Josh's bedding!

Granna in her famous painting shirt!



Grammie hard at work!


Here we all are in front of Josh's bedding. We will be picking out a different crib, but are enjoying have one to visualize with for now!


There is still work to be done ~ but it looks so much more like a nursery than it did before! :)

27 Weeks ~ 13 to go!

Josh's size:
This week, Josh weighs about 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended.

What Josh Is Up To:
He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now.

Josh's Positioning:
Josh is currently breech & has been since our 3rd sonogram in early May. We are praying he moves around to be head down in the next 13 weeks!

Mommy's update:
Eating is getting harder! I'm either not hungry or hungry & then can't eat a "normal" sized meal. My uncomfortableness has been better this week. We start seeing the doctor every two weeks now, and I have my glucose test next week.

Tomorrow, Josh will go on his first train ride as I ride the Heartland Flyer to Fort Worth for some time with friends & family & a baby shower!

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Dress like a cow & get a free combo meal? Okay!



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Designer Diapers.....REALLY???

So, the question is if you buy these super cute designer diapers ~ does that mean you save in clothing? I mean if I'm gonna pay the big bucks for the cuty pants ~ then I'm not gonna cover 'em up! This is crazy ~ What is next??

Josh: Week 26

Josh is now almost (tomorrow) 26 weeks old in belly weeks! We were privileged to see him again yesterday (for the fourth time!) ~ and he is getting so big! We saw all 10 fingers & all 10 toes, his growing brain, his stomach, bladder and beating heart!

Josh's size: He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. His official weight is 1 pound & 14 ounces.



How Josh is developing this week:
The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other (which he can ~ he is VERY responsive to Jon). He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. His testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

Josh's Mommy's Update:
I am starting to feel "more pregnant" ~ I've had several days lately where I haven't done much of anything ~ but I am absolutely exhausted. My fingers are swelling & I can no longer wear my wedding rings. I am more achey ~ my back hurts and stretching pains than I have had before ~ actually one day I was so uncomfortable ~ the only thing I could do to get comfortable was lay a pillow above the bump & one below the bump & lay on my belly. I'm sure it was a funny sight to see ~ but it really did help :) Overall, I am so grateful for a smooth & healthy pregnancy ~ these aches & pains are normal & I am thankful they are just arriving now!

How you can be praying for Josh:
- Josh's salvation: Pray that Josh would understand the gospel & the Lord would work in Him to bring Him to a saving knowledge of Himself.
- Josh's continued growth: Pray that Josh would bake the needed amount for his full development

Once Jon scans the sono pictures, I will post a few here for you to see.

Tulsa News

So we now live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We've been here a month ~ and I have an Oklahoma driver's license ~ so it's official.

We are living in a homey little apartment (thankful for much of an upgrade from our last little place) & I am thoroughly enjoying staying home & getting settled. We are pretty settled ~ everything has a place ~ except for Josh's room! It is & will continue to be a work in progress until his arrival (100 or so days from now!).

We have started attending Grace Community Church of Tulsa & love it. It is biblically based with an expository teaching style and a passion for the gospel & the Lord. The community of the church has been so welcoming and gracious to us. We are getting plugged in serving & enjoying getting to know everyone. It is a very small church ~ which we are loving! It is very comfortable for us since we both grew up in a fairly small church.

For those of you who don't know, this is our little story about how the Lord orchestrated our move to Tulsa:
I was seeking a mentor (to be discipled by)in CS & really struggled to find one ~ that was an mature women who (did not have young children to disciple at home ~ as they should be her primary focus) ~ and met Susan Heck at a retreat planned by our parent's church. She was speaking on mentoring & long story short ~ started discipling me over email and phone calls (from Tulsa). In Decemeber, Jon got laid off & we started the job search for him. He looked from December to April for work in all fields ~ not just flying. The only ~ only job he got any response from was one in Tulsa, OK as a flight instructor. He inquired about the job on Friday ~ got a call on Saturday requesting an interview the following Saturday. He received a message on Monday that pretty much said ~ he had the job. They were so interested that they let him pick his start date ~ so the Lord was gracious to allow me to finish out my first year teaching & we packed up and moved to OK! We are so peaceful about being up here & thankful for the opportunity the Lord has given Jon to fly & build hours as a stepping stone in his career. So, Susan & I are now meeting face to face, and we are attending Grace Community (where her husband & son pastor). We are overwhelmed by the brothers & sisters in the Lord that he has provided already ~ as a support to us in our transition and as our own family grows. The Lord has been good and faithful to us.

I am currently looking for part-time or full-time work until Josh's arrival in October, and then looking for a nannying position (or work from home) after he comes ~ so I can take him with me or not have to be concerned about childcare costs.

We are continuing to trust Him to meet all our needs as we transition to life up here in Tulsa & he is teaching us so much about trusting Him and being content where we are. He has been teaching us that this life is not about being comfortable ~ but about being faithful to Him in the way we live and in what we have.

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Get Clean WITH WHAT??

Probably the easiest and most basic part of Shaklee is Basic H2 Concentrate. You buy a 16oz bottle for 10.35 ~ that will last you FOREVER...well a long time. That 16 ounces makes up to 48 gallons of super powerful cleaner when mixed with water. I've had mine over a year & its still basically fully. It makes up 3 different bottles of solution for use in your home!

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Shaklee: Get Clean

So you may be wondering ~ Get Clean? I am clean! I do clean! BUT.....


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I hope by now it’s clear that one of the most important choices you make for your family’s health is deciding what you bring into your home. And it’s definitely time to get rid of those conventional household cleaning products under your sink.

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WHY should you trust Shaklee??? Get Clean™ offers cleaning choices that are SAFE for you, your home, and your planet. But I know what you’re thinking…can a cleaner that’s based on ingredients from natural sources really work? Well the answer is a resounding “yes,” because at Shaklee we believe you shouldn’t have to sacrifice powerful convictions for powerful cleaners.

To back it up we offer a 100% money-back guarantee that Get Clean™ products will deliver a powerful clean in every room of your house.

In fact, we’ve conducted independent, 3rd party testing to ensure that, when it comes to cleaning power, our products rival or beat leading brands.

Get Clean™ provides powerful cleaners to clean your home inside and out, including all-purpose cleaners, and products specifically for your kitchen and laundry.

UP NEXT...some of my favorite Shaklee cleaners!

24 Weeks & Counting!

Josh is now 24 weeks weeks BIG :) We are finishing up month 5!




Josh is growing steadily...gaining about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon. Josh's nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. Its not too hard to figure out when -- he's most active about 4 hours after I wake up ~ then mid afternoon & later evening. He's starting to move around when Jon talks to him ~ which is quite fun!

My CVS Trip

I walk in armed with coupons ~ finding deals & I come out feeling like its Christmas... I love it!

I was a bit dissapointed because I didn't pick up a Sunday paper last week & so I missed out on some pretty good deals ~ yet I still bought all this for just $2 (after Extra CareBucks)!





Well, my sweet husband came home from work early ~ so fun! So, I am going to hang out with him!

~ Coupon World ~

Well, coupon world ~ here I come. I am home ~ I am free ~ and I am GOING TO save money! I've been doing alot of research on how to coupon here in Tulsa, OK ~ and how to save money on groceries, shopping and baby things for when little Joshie comes. I'm learning how to be a frugal momma!

I have just recently discovered ALDI ~ which I think is my new favorite store. It has the cheapest version of everything ~ which means I no longer stand in the aisles trying to do math quickly in my head to find out which is the best buy. I literally used to sweat while standing in the store staring hopelessly at numbers and boxes when we were first married ~ while everyone else ~ either didn't care how much things cost or had super quick brain power & decision making skills and blew right past me in the aisles. At ALDI you can not use coupons...just have to get what they have ~ if you like the price/selection.

I have combined ALDI with E Mealz ~ a service that plans your grocery list for you & plans 5 meals a week for you ~ telling you how much each item you need is. This has cut our grocery bill in HALF. I am super excited about this :)

I've decided to do that & shop at CVS and others for all our extras or freebies ~ which is where the coupons come in. I'm headed to CVS tomorrow with a coupon for a free item (up to $3), and $10 off a $20 purchase, plus $4.99 in Extra Care Bucks....I can't wait to see the goodies I come out with :) I never knew how CVS worked until my friend, Jennifer, explained to me the amazing deals you can come out with ~ last time I went I didn't spend anything & we got men's & women's body wash & shampoo & conditioner ~ for FREE!

More to come ~ maybe tomorrow I'll tell you what I bought from CVS :)

A refreshing reminder of when circumstances may not be what you want or even expect ~ put very succinctly by Matt Chandler:

"There is nothing ~ NOTHING ~ that is currently in your life that God has not in His infinite, all-knowing wisdom decided not to stop ~ and SO THEREFORE it is a part of the purposes of God for His glory and your eventual joy"

Swagbucks :)

For those of you that have never heard of Swagbucks...listen in :) Might I say free money ~ easy money? Thanks to Money Saving Mom ~ Here's some info with my extra notes too!

If you’re new to Swagbucks, it’s an online search engine that rewards you for searching online. It’s very simple to sign up for. In fact, it takes all of about one minute. There are no fees, no credit card required and no phone number or address requested.

If you are going to try it out before reading the rest :) ~ click here: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/mwcouponmom


Swagbucks is hosting a big Summer Swag event today and they are releasing five different free codes. Plus, every 7th winning search on Swagbucks will be awarded 25 points!

To get these free codes, make sure you are signed up with Swagbucks and then read the post here on how to follow along and snag the codes they are releasing. As I discover new codes, I’ll also be posting hints on where to find them on the Money Saving Mom Facebook Page.

After that, you are credited 30 points to your account. After that, you’ll be rewarded randomly 5-20 points for searches you do online. You can also earn points by downloading the toolbar. Plus, Swagbucks routinely gives away free points on their blog, Facebook and Twitter accounts.

With just a tiny bit of effort, you can pretty easily earn enough to get a $5 Amazon gift card (or a number of other prizes worth around $5) every 4-6 weeks.

Now, you might be thinking, “What’s the big deal if I only earn a $5 gift card every month?” Well, you’re right, $5 isn’t that exciting. It’s something, but that’s only the beginning. You see, your earnings will exponentially multiply when you refer others.

Do you know anyone else who searches online? I thought so. Well, tell them about Swagbucks, send them your referral link, and you’ll not only instantly earn more points when they sign up, you’ll also earn points for the searching they do online.

Tell lots of folks and you’re well on your way to funding your entire Christmas budget with free gift cards from Swagbucks. I’m not kidding you, that’s exactly what myself and many others I know have done. It really works!

For those of you who have blogs, you’ll especially want to jump on board with this. It’s free, it won’t take much of your time to do, and it could generate a nice stream of gift cards in your mailbox.

(And yes, if you click through the links in this post and sign up, I get a referral credit. If you don’t feel comfortable with that, you can sign up directly on Swagbucks.com.)

Here is my referral link: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/mwcouponmom

Hope you try it out :)

A Name For Our Little Man :)

We have decided to name our little blessing! His name will be Joshua Reuben. We are going to call him Josh. We can't wait for him to come ~ We were blessed with two sweet showers this weekend & received many new things for our sweet Joshie. He is going to be one baseball and aviation outfitted boy! We check in on him on Thursday with our last Texas doctor's appointment..and will update you after that...or maybe after we move this weekend...

Week 20: Baby Reveal ~ It's a BOY!!

It's official ~ at 20 weeks ~ by the Lord's grace ~ We are halfway done with the pregnancy!

We are overwhelmed by the grace & mercy of the Lord to be forming and developing our little man & what a blessing it was to see him for a bit earlier this week. It was amazing to see his little heart with its little cross section dividing his heart into four tiny chambers, his tiny little brain, ribs, feet and fingers. We are amazed and reminded of just how great God is ~ as we saw his beautiful and intricate handiwork in our son. Jon is thrilled we are having a little boy that he can share his love of flying, baseball and all things boy with! I am excited for our family to start out with a boy ~ as I was raised by two older brother & that definitely shaped who I am today.

As we reflect back over the past year ~ it has been a whirlwind of God's sovereign purposes in our life & we are grateful for the time to learn and grow in Him. We know he sovereignly chose for us to be parents at this stage in our lives for His purposes, His glory and our joy. We are overwhelmed and excited to be deemed with the responsibility and task of parenting a little one in the ways of our sweet Lord ~ and know he will prepare and guide us all the way as we raise this little man he has so graciously given to us.

Newest News: Jon felt the baby kick! His mom, Grammie, sister, Jen, and my mom, Granna, were also able to feel him move!

How Big Am I?: About as big as a cantaloupe...although I weigh a whopping 13 oz!



My First Photo Shoot:





How I'm Growing This Week:
From Baby Center: He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

What Mommy's looking forward to this week: The first of our showers ~ this Saturday & Sunday!

How Mommy's feeling: Pretty good ~ feeling lots of little kicks and jabs :) Catching a cold & trying to ward it off with all that is coming for us ~ showers & moving!

Week 18:

18 weeks and growing ~

Itty Bitty is the size of: a sweet potato



How Bitty's Growing: He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Mommy's newest cravings: apples, olives, roasted veggies and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream

Sleep: I'm not constantly tired anymore, for which I am very grateful...but by the end of the day ~ end of my day ~ about 8pm...I'm ready to crawl in bed.

What the kiddos at school are saying: "Ms. Swarreen ~ can I touch your belly?"; "I felt it kick ~ I did!"

What I am looking forward to:

- Itty Bitty's gender reveal in just a week and a half! :) :)

- The last day of school ~ May 19th/June 4th

Bitty's movements: I am starting to feel more movement ~ but having trouble telling if its me stretching/growing or baby moving.

Week 17 Update from Baby Warren

Hello! Mommy said I should write to update you about how I'm growing ~ cause she says I'm getting big! My skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and my umbilical cord — which really is my lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. I weigh in at about 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip...although mommy & daddy think thats a funny comparison..like the size of a good size onion), and I'm already around 5 inches long from head to hiney. I can move my joints...and have been starting to kick mommy so she can feel it! My sweat glands are also starting to develop. I get my picture taken in eleven days & then you'll know what I already know! Am I a boy or a girl? Time will tell & mommy I'm sure will let me write soon...she's seems pretty nice & all...since she's letting me live in her belly. I love you all! Baby Warren



Mommy's Update:
I'm growing too ~ feeling lots of round ligament pain. It seems every day I try to wear some of my pre-pregnancy clothes just to squeak out my wardrobe a bit longer & find out less & less is fitting! I'm hungry all the time ~ about every two hours...which is a huge change..and Mexican food is back! :) I've felt baby twice now ~ a tiny flicking. I can't wait to find out our sweet baby's gender & be able to give itty bitty a name!

Growth of the Bump :)

March 7th ~


April 11th ~


April 27th ~

Hymn Stories: It is Well with My Soul

I heard this today & was blown away by the story of the man who wrote this hymn.

Tulsa ~ Here We Come!

Lots has happened in our little Warren lives since I last posted! We are grateful to the Lord for his provision of a job for Jon flight instructing in Tulsa! We went up to Tulsa this last weekend & found a cute little apartment with room for baby & are moving in just 5 weeks! CRAZY!

We went & got some boxes from our local toystore & my previous employer ~ Thankful for a FREE supply of boxes! We are so busy between now & then ~ we are going to try to pack up a box a night or so ~ until we are all packed up!

Baby continues to grow ~ as does my slightly expanding belly. It doesn't look too big yet ~ but feels like I have a blimp belly. This week we get the joy of checking in on baby :) Love my doctor appointment days ~ especially when I get to see our baby & not take care of 40 that aren't mine!

We are at 16 weeks this week ~ baby is the size of an avacado or about the size of your palm (I'm guessing a woman's palm)



My meshed version of the Bump & Baby Center (Ba-Bump) says:
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop. Watch what you say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming

Week 13: Baby Update

From Baby Center:

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, his/her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with his/her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

From the Bump:

Your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords... savor this, their non-functional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with a head now only one third the size of the body. Intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy. (Much more convenient.) Baby is now the size of a peach.

In Sickness & In Health ~

One year ago this week, Jon & I said our vows ~ in sickness & in health ~ & committed to love each other through it all. Then, we headed off to Cancun & celebrated in bliss for a week.

This week, we has not been as much bliss ~ but we have been able to practice (in addition to how we have over the past year) the in sickness part. Its been a long, rough week.

Thursday, I felt kinda funny & ended up throwing up several times on the way to work.

Saturday, I felt crummy all day & did nothing but rest.

Sunday, I started having back pain which became stabbing chest pain. I started having trouble breathing, and we went to the urgent care facility. The doctor diagnosed me with costochondritis. Its not really related to pregnancy & they don't know why I have it. From MayoClinic.com, “Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). It causes sharp pain in the costosternal joint — where your ribs and breastbone are joined by rubbery cartilage. Pain caused by costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.” Pretty much, there is nothing they can do to reduce the inflammation aside from Tylenol to help with the pain.

Monday, Jon went to Dallas for a job fair & my mom came in to help me with my classroom. It was such a blessing to have mom in ~ especially with me not feeling well.

Tuesday, I lost my voice during my afternoon class ~ completely out of the blue. By the evening, I was pretty sure I was getting sick ~ not just allergies. Wednesday, I worked & taught strategically to save my voice as much as possible. Wednesday night, I woke up at 1am coughing ~ and was up most of the rest of the night.

Turns out I'm working up to bronchitis :) I've seen two doctors today (heard baby's heartbeat ~ strong little one ~ sounds like a choo-choo train) & have the meds safe for baby & good to make me better.

Jon has been a wonderful husband and help ~ he has definitely had a chance to chance to live out the for sickness part of our vows. I am very thankful for him & how he makes me rest. I am thankful to have the rest of the weekend off :)

On a job note:

Jon starts at Chicken E tomorrow morning & has his interview with the flight school in Tulsa on Saturday. We are excited to see what the Lord is working in all these things!

Now...to rest.

....And The Winner Is....

We promised once we found out we were pregnant we would dig out our wedding guestbook pages & tell you who came the closest to the truth about when our first baby would be born.

We have reviewed the ballots...

The runners up were:

2) Sally Martin - Aug 2010

1) Bryan Bozeman - Fall 2010

& WINNER ~ George & Becky Gilmore with October 1, 2010!

Mommy-to-be & Baby Update!

Baby Warren ~ Week Ten

Baby is now a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, he or she has now completed the most critical portion of his development. (Yay!!) This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.

Baby is swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout the pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside my womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

In other developments: Baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.


Many people have been asking how my diet has changed & what baby likes ~ so here's an update!

Mommy's New Favorite Foods:

- Baby vine ripened tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots with a little bit of fat free salad dressing

- Monster cookies :)

- Raisins

- Strawberries

- Chick-fil-a

- Scrambled Eggs (Maybe not a fav ~ a necessity)

Recent Food Aversions & NoNo's for Nausea ~

- Peanut Butter Sandwiches

- Chicken or meat on its own (not mixed in like a casserole)

- Candy or anything with sugar as its main ingredient (other than M&M's in small quantities)

- Boca Burgers

- Salsa

- String Cheese Mozzarella Sticks

Oh, Baby!: Yep, We're Gonna Have a Baby!

The Lord surprised us with a little one growing in my belly! About six weeks ago, I was feeling a little on the funny side, so I asked Jon if I could take a pregnancy test just to calm my mind (I thought I was making up symptoms & he thought there was no way I could be pregnant!)~ and SURPRISE ~ two tests with faint lines & three more positive pregnancy tests later ~ we realized it was true! We were overwhelmed, excited and very surprised!

We saw our tiny baby for the first time last week at almost 8 weeks. Baby was 1.5 cm long with a strong & fast heart beat! Here is a little preview of baby's first picture!



So, our little blessing is now nine weeks ~ and growing fast ~ as big as a grape! I am due on October 7th! We will keep you updated as Lil' Baby Warren continues to grow!

Shaklee: Product of the Week :)

We thought it might be fun to pick a product to feature for the week. This week is our Get Clean Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate. It can be used for almost all household cleaning jobs. We mixed ours up & gave it a trial run a few weeks ago. You use just a drop or two & mix it with water ~ to create a degreaser, window cleaner and all-purpose cleaner. We love it ~ We love knowing its healthy ~ no toxins, no smells, and it gets your home just as clean as the regular household cleaners for much less of the cost that we would pay out for Windex, 409, Lysol bathroom cleansers and more!

You can watch the video below where Oprah explains how easy it is to mix it up & use it ~ as well as some health benefits too!



Because of Shaklee's Basic-H formula, we now have organic cleansers for furniture, windows, mirrors, floors, and basically anything else in the home I might want to clean! The best part is that a 16 oz. bottle of the concentrated cleaner that creates 48 gallons of organic, non-toxic cleansers can be yours for only $12.15! (If you become a member - its only $10) You do the math. Shaklee's Basic-H is an affordable way to provide those we love with a home that is more organic and chemical-free, for a mere $0.25 a gallon!

Shaklee: Try It ~ You'll Like It :)

Jon & I have just started a new business selling Shaklee products. Shaklee is the #1 natural nutrition company in the US. We are excited to help you become healthier and happier as you discover Shaklee...just like we did.

We have been taking Shaklee supplements as a couple for about a year & Jon has been taking them all his life :) ~ and we love them! I went from sick ~ sick with everything under the sun during student teaching to completely healthy for my last month of teaching. I've also been teaching fourth grade since the beginning of the school year & haven't been out sick with the flu or any sickness yet.

We sell all different kinds of products: nutritional supplements, cleaning products, beauty products to help you have a healthy home, healthy weight, and healthier you!

Check out our website & contact us if you have any questions!

Rachel Ray even likes it:



They also make products for children:



And for babies:

An Update on Us....

Well, There has been a lot going on around the Warren household lately. I've been slacking on my blogging because of all of it.

We had a wonderful Christmas break & enjoyed the blessing of spending some quality time together. What a blessing ~ since we literally hadn't spend a non-sick day together in over 22 weeks.

We were informed right before Christmas break that Jon was going to be laid off from his job at Brazos Valley Flight, so we are currently job seeking for him. We know that the Lord is in the midst of this ~ and know he will provide for us! We are thankful we trust in a sovereign and wise God who knows exactly what we need to to be becoming more like him & to give Him the most honor & glory in the midst.

I went back to work in early January & have enjoyed much more jumping back into teaching knowing what to expect and what not to expect ~ and by the grace of the Lord having a better attitude toward it. I have also had two more challenging students move away, which in some ways has been a blessing as well.

We are grateful for what the Lord has provided for us ~ which is lots ~ not just physically but all that we need spiritually too. We are also grateful for a long Valentine's Weekend ~ Thank you President's Day!