Great News!!!

Today was a great day!!! I had my initial glucose test last Thursday and found out on Friday that I did not pass...my number was 141 and you had to score 139 or below...so yesterday (Monday) I had to go for the 3 hour test. Let's just say that I was prepared to have gestational diabetes due to a family history of diabetes and just told myself that I could do anything for 90 days (number of days until my due date) to insure a healthy baby! Well, the Dr. called this morning at 9:31am (yes, the exact time) and told me GREAT news...I DO NOT have gestational diabetes!! I was so thrilled! Answer to prayer! God is good!

On another note, Turner Bennett is kicking up a storm...everyday he seems to kick and move more which I absolutely LOVE to feel his every movement. I just laugh sometimes because I try and figure out what he is doing inside of me...he must be having a GREAT time!! He is getting really strong...he has kicked two times really hard and it has kind of taken my breath away. I just think he is getting his running legs ready :) I can't wait to meet this little man!

Finally, we are hoping that our baby furniture is going to be delivered at the end of this week or next...I am SOOO excited about this! I will try and post pictures...I am not doing a great job posting the pictures, but we are taking them!!

Thanks for taking time to read this and have a Blessed Day!

It is me, Julie!!

Well, I am very reluctant to write on this blog because Billy is so good at it and there is really no way to live up to what he writes...I am so thankful that I am married to him!! :) We are 92 days away from the due date and I know that Turner will decide when he is ready to make his grand appearance in this world, but just knowing that we are less than a 100 days seems so crazy...this has gone by so fast!! I can't wait to hold him in my arms for the 1st time! I feel bad for Billy because as much as I can when Turner kicks I have him feel my stomach, but even when I try to describe what it feels like when he kicks, Billy will never truly understand what it feels like. People tried to explain how it would feel to me early on in pregnancy, but no one can truly describe it...it is so magical and I don't know how any one who has ever been pregnant can not believe in God because every time I feel him kick I say a thank you prayer to Him because of this miracle He allowed inside of me. We are truly blessed!

We are eagerly preparing for Turner's arrival...Billy has organized the baby's closet complete with hanging all the clothes (no worries, we will take them all off the hangers they are on and wash them in Dreft a little closer to when he will be here) and folding the blankets. We also ordered furniture last weekend and it was so fun!! It should be here in a few weeks! :)

Well, thank you all for checking in on us and we will try to update more regularly now that the weeks are ticking down even faster...

How do women do it?

Everyday I fall more in love with my wife. I can't help but see her as more attractive as each day passes and not just on the outside. I've started seeing her in a beautiful light that didn't exist 26 weeks ago. Each day she is growing into a mommy and that is so exciting for me to see. I see her care as she holds our little niece, Julia Hope. That's the love of a mother and I know she is ready to hold her on little baby.

I am convinced that pregnant women are stronger than superman. I can't believe what she can accomplish. She's beginning to have a harder time falling asleep at night and Turner is an instant alarm clock with kicks in the morning. She's burning the candle at both ends, yet she still gets everything done. The big items right now are her masters classes and the Service League of Cherokee County's 5K Run for the Children. She is in charge of the run and I know she's under a great deal of pressure, but she has done a fantastic job and everything will go well this Saturday! The masters is stressful as well. Added work, a long night of classes and the fact that she finishes the week of her due date :)

Turner is less than 100 days a way and I can't wait to hold him, but I am even more excited to see Julie get her chance to be a mommy. She'll be terrific!

Something I could get used to ...

I really haven't had a lot of experience with babies. I was quite the nervous one the first time I got to hold Julia Hope, our sweet two-month old niece. I have to admit that I was a little terrified. She is so small and I didn't know which hand to put where, how tight to hold her, how to support her head or if she would just burst into uncontrollable tears. She just stared.

Last night, Julie and I headed over to her sister's for a chance to play with our nephews and enjoy a little pizza. Julie's first task with Julia Hope was to see if she could coax her into taking a bottle. To-date, this had been a tricky task, but Julie is the master of getting things done when she puts her mind to it. After a little work, Julia Hope took the bait and begin to chug (there's no other way to describe it) that bottle. During a burp break, Julie asked me to hold the bottle. I took the opportunity to kneel down to Julie Hope's level and make a fool of myself. I played peep-eye and made a crazy sounds as I rocketed the baseball cap off of my head. She started laughing a little at first (the baby that is) and finally worked up such a hearty laugh she got the hiccups. It was adorable. It made Julie laugh, too.

Julie was taking her time holding the baby, but I could tell she was getting a little tired of walking around, so I quickly offered my shoulder and a pair of fresh legs. Julia Hope was a little fussy by now and I figured at some point I'd better learn to take care of a crying baby. With the proper placement of a burp cloth, I took her in my arms and just enjoyed the moment. There's nothing like the smell of a baby's head. She was so soft in my arms and I loved feeling her little heart beat against my chest. We walked, swayed, bounced and rocked until she finally fell asleep. I took the time to sit in the recliner with her and enjoy the moment. She stayed like that for 20 minutes, laying on my chest. I just tried to take in the whole moment. The way her little body would rise and fall with each breath, the little coo occasionally as she slept, and a deep hope and desire to feel these same moments with my little one not too far away.

Turner continues to grow. He's gotten to be a better kicker! Like an alarm clock, he kicks at Julie every morning before the real alarm goes off. I can even feel him more. We're lucky to have my parents down this weekend. It was so nice to see Julie and my mom enjoying their crocheting time together. There will be lots of great baby blankets produced in the coming months! My dad and I got to rest as they shopped. I can't wait to see them hold little Turner, too.