it's the week before christmas

These days seem to be flying by. Seems like just yesterday I was crossing that line into the blessed second trimester, and now I'm in my third trimester with less than twelve weeks 'til due date. My pregnancy has been comfortable and smooth, thank goodness, and I'm so thankful for the little one inside of me.

Had a doctor's appointment last week and everything looked great. Belly size, weight gain, blood pressure, and pee all looked good. And I passed my glucose tolerance test! Yea!

Luke moves around all the time! It is so much fun! You can actually see him roll around inside my stomach, and when he gets the hiccups my belly sort of twitches rhythmically. It's so cool!

Last night, I went to sleep with him kicking and this morning I woke up to his punches. I absolutely love feeling him move around in there. What a miraculous thing, this little child!

At just over twenty eight weeks, it is obvious to the world that I have something growing inside ... and it's been fun to finally have a real belly!

Daisy insisted on posing in this picture with me. :) And you can see that his nursery is progressing nicely. No real decor yet but all the basics are taken care of!

In other news, I'm all finished with my grad school coursework. This means no more tests, no more papers, no more big presentations. I'm done! All that's left is clinical hours, which I'm still hoping to finish before March. If I can accomplish this task, I'll be ready to graduate in May!

This Christmas season has been filled with mixed emotions. I find myself crying at the smallest, strangest things. Call it hormones or grief or anticipation or a mixture of all three ... I think about my brother all the time and the next week will be so difficult without him.

The last time I saw Blake was Christmas Day 2009. I am so thankful for that memory, and the time that we spent together.... I wish he were here this year, to celebrate Christmas with our family, and to know the nephew that's kicking me in the ribs right now. ;)

What joy, what joy for those whose hope is in the name of the Lord. What peace, what peace for those whose confidence is Him alone...