33 weeks, Thanksgiving, travels

I'm posting this a bit late, but these pictures are from 33 weeks (this past Tuesday). I decided it was time for a new backdrop, so you can see some of Isaiah's nursery in the background. It's been in near completed state for several weeks--I'll post pictures of the entire room soon when we get the last piece of furniture in.

We've been visiting in North Carolina since Wednesday. We've had a wonderful time and enjoyed seeing many of Chris' family members in Charlotte for Thanksgiving that we hadn't seen for several years. We've also enjoyed a little Wii action with the family, and Frankie is more spoiled than ever with so many willing hands to pet him. Chris' mom (Ginger), sister (Melissa), aunt (Deda), and cousin (Elizabeth) are hosting a baby shower for me tomorrow afternoon. I look forward to seeing more friends and family as they help us prepare for Isaiah's birth.

We had our first childbirth class last week and that went well. I don't think I really learned anything I didn't already know from reading on my own (and med school helps some too :), but I think it's good for me and Chris to go through this as a team. There were around 10 other couples there, and most are expecting boys...it's funny how these babies seem to come in gender groups. We also took a tour of the hospital I'll be delivering at last Sunday. It was nice to see the actual labor and delivery department we'll be spending time in, and we had the opportunity to ask one of the nurses questions about standard procedures, etc.

Last but certainly not least, I feel it's appropriate to consider the many things I have to be thankful for in this Thanksgiving season. First and foremost, I'm forever thankful for a gracious God who loved me before I knew what love was and saved me when I deserved His wrath and death. I'm thankful for a godly and supportive husband, a healthy baby on the way, and a pregnancy free from sickness. I'm thankful for a family committed to God and each other, through and despite many 'trials and tribulations'. I'm thankful for a 'little' brother dedicated to serving our country and defending our freedom. I'm thankful for a future playmate and first cousin on the way for Isaiah and for the opportunity to finally be an auntie. I'm thankful for a church family that loves and encourages us when our own families are far away. I'm thankful for friends near and far who love and support us though I'm terrible at keeping in touch and doing the same. I'm thankful for God's provision through medical school (and for it nearly being at a close!). I'm thankful for so much more than I can adequately express here, and without a doubt, God deserves the glory for all of these things. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

32 weeks

32 weeks...the countdown continues. Amazing that little Isaiah is due in just 8 short weeks. I have an OB check-up tomorrow. My check-ups will increase in frequency to every two weeks for the next four weeks, and then I'll have one a week until Isaiah is born. We also start childbirth classes on Thursday night. ...All signs that parenthood is drawing nearer.
This is my first week off, though it has quickly filled up with appointments and activities. I had my first interview today with one of the dermatology faculty members at UT. They actually will be interviewing all of the other students on one day in January, but the date is so close to my due date that they graciously set up other times for me to meet with them. I have three more interviews this week with other faculty members at UT to complete the circuit. You can see my maternity business suit in my belly shot above that I wore for the first time today. It's not the most flattering or comfortable thing in the world, but I'm just hoping I can still button it for a few more weeks.

We're excited that my sister, Lindsay, and her husband, Chase, are moving back to Tennessee this week. They've had a whirlwind of a year between LA, Nashville, Orlando, and back to Nashville. I don't know anyone who enjoys the process of packing and moving, so I'm sure they're exhausted and ready to stay put for a while. We're just happy to have them within driving distance again, especially with Isaiah coming soon.

There's not too much else to report right now. Stay tuned...

Visit to Mobile

Over Halloween weekend, we headed down south to Mobile to visit Jordan and Meagan. Mom and Austin joined us there as well, and we had a great time. On Saturday, we enjoyed some good seafood at the Oyster House, and then we toured the USS Alabama. Below are some pictures from our trip.

Don't forget the dogs! Frankie and Sadie (in her cow costume for Halloween) after wearing each other out. Aren't they cute!

31 Weeks

Well, as hard as it is for me to believe, I'm 31 weeks along today. And boy, does my baby bump look every bit that big. I can't believe when comparing this week's picture to my 28 week picture how much more I'm protruding. I'm definitely feeling it everywhere else too. My doctor warned me that things were going to get more difficult in the third trimester, but I sort of just brushed it off. Well, I certainly have no room to complain as I've been blessed with a healthy and easier-than-the-norm pregnancy, but he was right. I'm now wearing an inexpensive silver band in place of my wedding rings as my fingers are swollen (sounds better than saying 'fat'), and my feet/ankles are noticeably swollen at the end of the day (and sometimes at the beginning). Isaiah's movements are a source of major discomfort at times, and I seem to get short of breath quite easily these days. I think this is God's way of getting me ready for Isaiah's entry into the world--if I weren't a bit uncomfortable, I might never feel quite ready for his arrival.

This is my last week of work before being off for 4+ months. I've sort of run out of projects for the nursery as I was a bit over-zealous and completed most of them a few weeks back. I'm sure I'll come up with more things to do, and I'm looking forward to reading baby books in preparation for Isaiah's arrival. I also hope that my December schedule will fill up more with residency interviews. Right now, I only know about my interview at MUSC, which will be Dec 11-12th. It's nice to have at least one on the calendar.

We're looking forward to traveling to North Carolina for Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks. This will be the first Thanksgiving we've spent with Chris' family since we were engaged due to various conflicts. Chris' mom and sister (Ginger and Melissa) have also been sweet enough to plan a baby shower for me while we're there. I'm really looking forward to that, and it will be such a huge blessing in getting things ready for Isaiah.

I'll try to do better about posting more regularly for the rest of the pregnancy. Just think, 9 weeks until the due date!! Before you know it, I'll be blogging about my new baby boy :)

28 Weeks

It's amazing to me that I'm now 28 weeks (and one day) along in gestation. I am officially in the third trimester!! This pregnancy has really flown by. As much as I look forward to having Isaiah in my arms, I'm not wishing the pregnancy away. It's been an enjoyable time and I've been very blessed with good health. Being so obviously pregnant is actually a lot more fun than when there's only a small bump because now even perfect strangers passing me on the street share in my joy--I get smiles and comments (mostly nice) every where I go. Here's my 28 week belly shot:

Here's what "babycenter" says about Isaiah this week:
"By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can open and close his eyes, which now sport lashes. This movement is more of a reflexive blink than a deliberate opening and closing, but it won't be long before he's batting those beauties at you."

Tomorrow is my 28 week check-up and gestational diabetes screening. While I'm drinking a nasty lemon-lime concoction and waiting to have my blood sugar tested, our friend Tricia will be in labor at Methodist Germantown. She's going in the morning to be induced (her due date was this past Sunday), and we can't wait to find out if "Cricket" is a boy or girl! Pray for an uneventful and safe delivery.

Baby Name Release 6

Surely you've got it by now, right? Isaiah Perry Starnes

Baby Name Release 5

Several of you have guessed correctly already, but I'll continue to release the letters to give you slow-pokes a chance :)