30 weeks and Attempted 3D/4D pictures

How far along? 30 weeks!!!

Size of baby: ~3-3.5 pounds and is approximately 16 inches long! Wow

Maternity clothes?: Yes! I can wear some regular dresses but anything else looks really funny. I am still squeezing into my regular scrubs but bought some bigger ones for my new job and cannot wait to start wearing them!

Gender?: Boy!!! Samuel Lucas

Movement: Yes! It is amazing at how much I can feel him now that he is getting bigger. It is no longer a few kicks here and there. Now, I can actually feel when he moves, rolls, etc and it is amazing! I love it! It is my favorite thing about pregnancy so far.

Sleep?:Ha! I go to sleep as soon as I hit the bed. Although I have crazy heartburn and have to get up to use the bathroom ~5 times a night, I cannot complain about sleep.

Cravings?: Despite my horrible heartburn, I love SPICY foods!

Symptoms: Heartburn. I also broke out in what they call a pregnancy rash. They say that some women who are having boys break out in this rash from a reaction of having the male hormone in your body. Aveeno body wash seems to help soothe it pretty well though.

What I miss?: Not being able to help my husband do a lot of things around the house. I know I should enjoy having him do everything, but he has SOO much to do being a pastor and working, I wish I could help out with a few things (even though he has not complained and tells me to rest!) He is amazing! I am blessed : ).

Milestones: Reaching 30 weeks! Wow! I cannot believe we are here!

What I am most excited about?:Meeting Lucas. Going to get the 3/4D pictures really made it feel real. However, Lucas decided to be camera shy and did not want to move his hands from his face! We tried everything to try to make him move that precious hands but he would not have it. We managed to get a few glimpses of him, but are going back next week to try and get some better ones!

This is one good looking baby!! I cannot wait to go back next Tuesday to get more pictures!

The Franklin Family/Welcome Shower

This is one blessed baby!! This past Sunday , Lee's family gave us a BEAUTIFUL shower. I was blown away when I walked in the door at all of the beautiful decorations!

                          
                                                    How cute were these cupcakes!!!

                                                         Me with Lee's mom and sisters

                                                Me and my mom and future sister in law!

We are so thankful for wonderful friends and family. What an exciting day!!

First Shower and New Beginnings!

I am still amazed at how the Lord works. Lee and I were nervous about having a baby and both working so far out of town. Even though Lee pastors at Glory Baptist Church, he also works another job. Lee worked in Columbia and I worked in Laurens which were both pretty far away. But, Lee was talking to a good preacher friend of his a couple of months ago and the Lord opened up a job for him in Spartanburg which is ~15 minutes from where we live. He was not even looking for a job necessarily at that time, but the Lord saw it fit to move him closer and we were both so excited! However, I was still apprehensive about having to drive 45 minutes to work everyday after having the baby, but was not looking for another job at this time because Lee and I are on my insurance (and that is pretty important when you are pregnant : ). However, I got a call saying that there was a great job opportunity available in Union. Again, I was a little nervous about switching jobs at this time because I thought about things like my short term disability while I was out on maternity, insurance, etc. The first thing my husband and I did was pray about it and I really had a peace about switching jobs. With my personality, I am usually really nervous about change so it is undeniable that the Lord really helped me with that. Then, after we decided that it would be the best move for our family, the topics I was dreading begin to come up. They told me that I would not be able to get paid for the time that I was going to be off on maternity leave because I was already pregnant entering into the job; we would have to do Cobra and was not even sure if pregnancy would be considered a pre-existing condition with the new insurance on my job. Also, I had so many ETO and sick days save up that I was planning on taking 10-12 weeks with the baby and would only be able to take 6-8 with the new job. And even though the Lord has helped us through this entire journey of becoming parents, I doubted if we were making the right decision. I also found out that my job required a 1 month notice which would mean I would not be able to start the job until the very end of July/beginning of August and I was nervous about starting a job at 8 months pregnant. BUT, just like He ALWAYS does, the Lord answered every question and even took care of everything far better than I could have ever imagined. It is funny how the Lord sends new songs my way that help me with the circumstances that I am going through and I loved this line in "Didn't I Walk on the Water."
And every time you asked me, didn't I deliver you. So why would you be thinking that I wouldn't see you through.
Wow, that was exactly what I needed and the Lord did exactly that. It turns out that that 1 month notice was a blessing because since I am to start my new job in August, we would not have to pay Cobra and was able to pick up Lee's insurance which would start on September 1st. (It just so happened that his insurance started the day mine ended and we had no clue that we would even need his insurance a few months ago.....God's timing is perfect!) So, my insurance would extend through the rest of August. And, my pregnancy was not a pre-existing condition with his insurance and actually was very similar to what we had now! Also, all of those ETO days that I had saved up I found out that I would get paid for meaning that we could use that money towards the time that I was out for maternity leave. And as far as having 6-8 weeks maternity leave, the time that I am going to save driving will definitely make up for that. Praise the Lord! Everything that I was worried about, the Lord took care of that and more. I am thankful for God's perfect timing and the way He always takes care of us.
Well, since I was leaving, the sweet people that I work with at the hospital gave me a wonderful shower/going away party. I absolutely LOVE where I work at now and it is hard to leave them, however, having a baby changes things : ). This is the cake that they had for me

Thank you Lord for answering prayers and I am excited about what He has for us in the future as we welcome this beautiful miracle baby into our lives!!