The Big Name Reveal!

So we decided on her name... FINALLY! I could not be more excited. I have loved this name for at least the past 3 years and pretty sure I told lots of people what "her" name would be if we ever had a daughter. It took Marc some time to process because I guess it never really felt real until we found out we were having a girl. I had a few other options and kept trying to come up with others, but they just didn't feel right. So one day out of the blue, Marc agreed that her name should be...

Maren Lee

 Meaning: Its source is Miryam, a Hebrew name meaning "Wished-for child." 

Lee is my middle name and I like how it goes well with it. 

I seriously love it. I love that it is somewhat unique, simple, and I love that it means "wished for child." I also love that it starts with an "M." Almost everyone in my family begins with an "M" so I love that it will continue with her. Plus our initials will be the same {MLY}or {MyL.}



I kid you not, I bought this necklace when we went on a weekend away at the beginning of February. I think I was maybe 7 or 8 weeks along and bought this having a feeling it was a girl. I did not buy it for myslef and I pulled it out of my purse THIS past weekend. I just found it in there with the tags on it, just days after we had for sure decided. I felt like that was even more confirmation that it was the right decision. I'm excited to start wearing it now that it has more of a purpose.
I prayed that God would reveal the name to us for many months and I feel like He definitely did just that. I have such a strong connection to this name that I really can't describe.

I'm seriously so excited. Thankful to be 23 1/2 weeks right now and feeling great. I'm also excited to start moving along with getting her room all ready. Pretty sure the next 3 1/2 months are going to fly by!  {Or at least I hope so in this horrible heat}.


Psalm 139:13-16  For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

The Best Weekend Ever

I headed south to Dallas for the weekend. I had so many fun things to do I ended up leaving early Thursday morning before the whole crew headed down later on Friday. Several months ago we bought Coldplay concert tickets which is something that was on my bucket list! I decided to go early and got to see my bestie Mare and got the privilege of meeting her sweet daughter in the NICU. I was completely honored that she allowed me to go meet her and see her sweet face. If you don't know Olivia's story, she was a quad born at 23 weeks and has been fighting for the past 11 weeks of her life. Please go read Mare's blog if you haven't already or my post I wrote here.

I'm in Love!!! She is so perfect.

I also got to see my other friend Heather, who delivered at 31 weeks and got to hold her precious son, Beckham. Two miracle babies all in one weekend! I so happy they are both doing so well.



Friday night the rest of the crew got there. My friend Jennie and her husband came all the way from Austin to hang out. Again, so thankful. Then our other friends the Hartnesses and Cashions also came from Fayetteville. We stayed at the Westin and had a fabulous time. We spent most of the day at the pool on Saturday and had some good chill time (although I completely forgot to take pics).

Who invited these two?

Before dinner and the concert!

My baby daddy and our babymoon!

I have to say this concert crept up on me and it had not crossed my mind in awhile, but let me assure you, it was the BEST concert I have ever been to and probably will ever get to go to again. Even Marc who does not enjoy concerts loved it! It was incredible. That Chris Martin is quite impressive singing live.

Everyone got light up bracelets, which went along with the beat. Unbelievable.

It was such a nice, fun, refreshing weekend away to spend with Marc, fun friends and to also get quality time with friends I don't normally get to see. My heart is so FULL right now. I miss them all already.
I feel like I had an awesome mini-vacay.

22 weeks

I'm officially over half way there! Woohoo. I'm still feeling really good and energetic. Not having hardly any back pain. Over the weekend I think I hit a big growth spurt. I'm starting to actually look preggo verses just chunky. I really love it. I also really love feeling her move a lot. So far Marc has only got to feel her once, which makes me laugh. She is already giving him a hard time. My mom, dad and sister all got to feel her move around and kick this weekend. They loved it. I seriously have no complaints whatsoever about pregnancy. I'm thankful everyday and really have been enjoying each little moment. Next week is the big glucose test, so I'm pretty nervous about that but hoping for a good outcome.  

I went to Little Rock one day last week to spend some time w/ my fam and decided to register at Babies R Us since we don't have one and I didn't know when I would be back to do it. It was a blast. My mom was way more dangerous than I was! Ha. I'm attempting t have my showers a little earlier than normal just in case bed rest does indeed have to happen.

We bought this for Auntie Meg!

Bought a precious swimsuit and cover up for all of her lake trips. That swimsuit is so darn cute in person. It is crochet material and a lacey cover up! :)

 

 

Auntie Meg bought this for her! She is so excited and will be such a fun Aunt.

The BIG news is that we finally decided on a 1st name. Still no middle name, but we do have the first name determined. I will say its what I wanted from the very beginning and could not be more thrilled. I have liked this name for a little over 3 years now. We both agree and feel like it should be her name! I was really trying hard to love other names but was having a difficult time connecting to them. After we get the middle name figured out I will let you all know! Hopefully that won't take another 2 months! :) I'm so relieved she has a name before she gets here. 

Fathers Day Celebrations

Again I'm so humbled and thankful to be able to celebrate this day in many ways. I'm thankful for my dad, Marc's dad, stepdad and for especially for Marc getting to now appreciate this holiday.

Our original plan was to go to see Marc's father since we haven't been since Christmas. Unfortunately that did not work out due to Marc having to work all weekend long. So sad I know. Poor thing literally worked till 10 every night.
I decided to go to the lake and see my dad for the weekend since Marc was unavailable. It was so much fun spending time with my fam! The 4 of us always have a blast. It was also exciting to not only celebrate him as a father but also a pop-pop! I even found a card the said, "Pop-Pop"! He loved it.

Here he is doing what he does best. Being Boat captain (w/his new hat), surfing and loving on his girls!

When I got home from the lake, I showered Marc with gifts and then took him to Ruth's Chris for a delicious steak dinner. I also surprised him with a strawberry, coldstone cake. It said, "Happy 1st Fathers Day." Again, it feels so surreal being able to celebrate this Holiday. It has such a different feel and we are feeling so blessed and thankful for that. This baby girl has no idea how blessed she will be with him as her father. I can't even imagine all the fun times they will get to have together.


We missed getting to see Marc's dad and stepdad this weekend but are hoping to see them soon! They also mean the world to us and we are thankful for them both!

My heart goes out to those that have lost a father, child or are still waiting. I thought a lot about that yesterday and had several people on my mind. Praying for peace.

Baby update coming soon! I think we are getting closer on a name!

Exciting stuff

Lately I've been working hard on getting stuff done. I know some of you are thinking its way too early for that, but I'm feeling really great and energetic right now! I know as the summer progresses, I will be growing more and it will get hot and much harder to do things with my back. Plus there is a chance for bed rest towards the end so I rather have it all done verses depending on others to do it for me. Perhaps I'm already nesting?! Let me know what you think!

I bought a crib! I love how unique, fun, and modern it is. We don't have it out of the box quite yet, but hopefully soon!
 

I cleaned out her closet the other weekend and hung up a few of her goodies she has received so far. I also love how teensie and cute they are!
 

This is my inspiration for starting the nursery.
 
and a little of this! Modern/vintage is the feel I'm going towards.
 

Love these colors, but will most likely use coral instead of orange.

I decided I love decorating but I'm not that good at it! Thankfully I have some awesome friends and a mom who are fantastic at it and are helping me tremendously.

Really loving these fabrics and colors!

Garage sale find!

This was my a piece in my sis' nursery

 

 

Washed by the Water

This past Wednesday we got together with our amazing community group plus a few extra and had us a good ole southern baptism. A few of the guys in our group had never been dunked before and decided it was time. We went out to a lodge that was close to a river. The guys shared why they decided to get baptized and then we all went down to the river and watched. It was one of the most incredible things I have ever witnessed. Marc had the privilege of baptizing 3 of the guys and was humbled by them asking.


























Afterwards we had a delicious southern meal including fried chicken, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, green beans, rolls, salad and strawberry shortcake.
That night will be one that we won't ever forget. We have had the privilege of leading/co-leading a community group for the past 5 years with some new people and some others that have been with us since the beginning. They all mean so much to us and we are so grateful for each couple. Praise Jesus for a great community that surrounds us with love, accountability and prayers.



Romans 6
⁴ We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

20 week Update

As I said, last week we had 2 big appointments. One was with the maternal fetal specialist and one with my regular OB. The specialist was getting a better look at the spine to see if the AFP test was true to the spina bifida possibility. They concluded that baby girl does NOT have it! The spine looked perfect along with the heart and brain. We are so thankful and relieved to hear this news. We really had such a peace going into the appointment. I honestly had not worried about it and the appointment snuck up on me. When I was walking in the elevator I was like, Oh gosh maybe I should start freaking out now since I hadn't yet or should start actually preparing my heart for bad news. Thankfully there was no need to and we couldn't be more grateful for the way God has answered so many prayers. This baby is truly such a miracle already and I'm counting down the days until I can meet her {or name her}!
I go back in 3 weeks for my glucose test. I'm super nervous about that. My mom had Gestational Diabetes with my sister and I'm worried I may get it, so we are praying against that.

Here she is yawning. She is also giving herself bunny ears:)

Sweet little profile

Bump at 20 weeks!

It was such a great week getting some awesome news and I finally started for sure feeling precious flutters. I'm officially addicted and want to feel them all the time. I can't even explain how so very thankful I am for each one. I also have been going to the Chiropractor once a week and it has helped tremendously with my back pain issue. Again, I can't tell you how grateful I am for that as well because I feel completely debilitated when it hurts, like can't even think straight. Praise Jesus from whom all blessing flow.

Psalm 135:3

Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.

Babyfaces and More

The day we found out the gender was such a blast and so special! There is a company here in NWA that comes to peoples homes and they perform ultrasounds in your home. They are 2 sonographers that have regular day jobs in a clinic but have their own equipment and travel in the evenings and on the weekends to do showers or just gender reveals. I had someone tell me about them and then the very next day there was a living social deal for this company. I snatched it up was couldn't wait to use it. I think I bought it around 8 or 9 weeks which was brave, but I'm so thankful I did because it will be something that is never forgotten by us or our family members. The girls that came to the house were so sweet and set up everything in our bedroom. We went back first and they could tell right away it was a girl but confirmed with one another until they were 100% and then told us. Then we had all of our family members come in so they could also see the ultrasound and found out all at the same time! One of the girls was taking pics while we found out! So here we are in action finding out....!

right before

right when they told us

yay for a baby Girl!

here is their business card in case you live in the area and are interested. I highly recommend  them.

and their website:

http://www.babyfaceandmore.com/

Updates coming soon on everything. We had 2 big appointments this past week.