Birth Pool!

I got the birth pool set up!  It took forever to inflate the whole thing, but now it's up and ready to fill with water at birthtime!  I spent much of yesterday afternoon setting up that room, decorating the window, and envisioning what it will be like to give birth in there.  I made a playlist of music for the time of birth - some peaceful/soaking music, worship music, upbeat music, etc....a nice variety of my favorite songs!
The first song is something Preston recorded on Garage Band of his voice declaring and praying over me and Courage and the birth, along with some mellow music in the background.  I absolutely LOVE it.  It is so so encouraging.  He declares God's Word over me and speaks FAITH and PEACE over me.  
Some other artists: Songs of Water, Ocean Lab, Owl City, Ian Mcintosh, Jesus Culture, Bethel Live, Brian and Jenn Johnson, Kristene Mueller/DiMarco, Jason Upton, Misty Edwards, The Riveras....*sigh* all such beautiful Holy Spirit-filled music :)

Our Narnia lamp, Narnia shield, and Narnia sword :)
Speaks of Courage!

The painting, although you can't see it in these pictures, is one I painted last year and speaks of Peace and soaking in God's Presence.  The woman is completely at peace, underwater ("soaking") and she has no worries or fears.  She holds the keys to the Kingdom (access to truth and Heaven) in her hand. She is dressed in white, like a pure white bride.  And from her heart is a parachute with the colors of the rainbow.  I specifically chose rainbow colors to decorate the window to remind me of the promises of God.  "By His stripes we are healed" and "You will be safe and sound in childbearing as you continue in faith, love, holiness, and self control."  I hung the star lights because Courage is like a twinkling star to me (Remember my Twinkle Twinkle Little Star post?).  I will stand on the promises of God.

There are so many little details that I have to take care of as it gets closer the the big day.  Such as  setting aside towels and blankets and pillows, etc, getting plastic liners, a birth supplies kit, a hose to attach to the shower or sink to fill the birth pool...I have a long list!  I can't wait to check it all off!

My parents booked their flights out here for October!  I am so happy they will be here when Courage is born.  And Preston and I just booked our flights to Redding for Christmastime!  I am so excited to spend Christmas and New Years (also our anniversary) with my family in California and for Courage to meet the rest of the family!!  Ahhh I'm so happy!!!

Feeling BIG!

I am 32 weeks pregnant now and I am starting to realize how BIG I am...
Up til now I've had many days where I forgot I even had a pregnant belly.  I've worn my same shirts since pre-pregnancy and have felt comfortable moving around, sitting on the floor, bending down, getting up, getting out of bed...etc.  

Today I woke up and felt HUGE!  (It could have been all those chips and salsa I ate last night).  I think I am just now entering into that stage of really feeling pregnant - like, big pregnant!  I haven't really gained any weight in the last month or so, but something is different.  And when I look at recent photos of me...well, let's just say I'm surprised at how big I am!  In more areas than one, might I add! ;)

Well, I have roughly 8 more weeks to go, so... I guess I'm in for a treat! ha!

My sister-in-law also due in October

Yep, I'm big. (And just think - black is slimming)

Regardless of my somewhat "blah" feelings toward my body right now, I am super excited for my labor experience!  Not just because I can't wait to hold Courage in my arms and look into his beautiful face, but also because of the beauty and power in childbirth!  Ah, my heart just leaps with joy when I think about it, and I love love LOVE preparing for that day - whether it's taking notes from different books, soaking in God's Presence and making declarations over Courage and my body, or envisioning the completion of Courage's room (the cloth diapers, the curtains, the crib, the futon moved out! etc).  I'm excited about setting up the birthing pool in his room and creating an atmosphere of peace and love, and of worship and JOY!  

My birthing pool still in the box...waiting to clear out Courage's room (the prayer room) to test it out

Our prayer room/Courage's room.  The futon NEEDS to go!  And the crib in the corner needs help setting up.

So, I may be BIG, and I may be getting BIGGER and BIGGER as these weeks progress...but I am still maintaining and growing in my joy and excitement of this special and amazing time of my life!  Such a time as this...


With love,
Bethany

Updates & Photos

Last week I had Preston take some photos of me and the baby bump, since I realized I'm already at 30 weeks (last week, now I'm at 31 weeks) and I still don't have many decent/cute photos of my growing belly!  I can't believe I've gone this long without getting a good "photo shoot" in.  But thankfully I connected with a friend who is a photographer who will take some photos of us later this month...

Yes, I did the classic "heart on the belly" pose, lol

I feel like every pregnant woman does something different with their hair while their pregnant, whether it's dye it or chop it off, add extensions, etc.  Most, I think, go for the drastic hair-cut, but I have vowed not to cut my hair again for a lonnnng time ever since I did a couple years ago and hated it.  So I decided to go more blonde.  My friend put highlights in yesterday and I like it :)

I'll have to post pics later. 

But here are the beautiful FLOWERS my Love bought me last night <3

I love how exotic and vibrant they are

Last weekend I went to my sister-in-law's baby shower.  She's due in October too with her first baby - it's a girl!!  It's so exciting that we are getting two additions to the Hall family, not only in the same year but also in the same MONTH!

Here's my cute outfit I wore to the mall the other day ;)

Still trying to get creative in style with my changing body...

I purchased my birthing pool the other day and I can't help but envision where I want to set it up.  I'm getting rid of our futon that is in the prayer room/baby room so that there is more space.  And I am attempting at figuring out how to set up the crib.  It's kind of a challenge.  It's also a challenge trying to move stuff around, such as the futon, since it's heavy.  If I wasn't pregnant, I'd probably try to move that whole thing out by myself.  Instead, I've settled for moving the futon mattress from the baby room to the living room where it waits to be moved into the garage.  Oh, the things I could accomplish if I could only LIFT more weight.  ha!

I've had to walk a lot lately, not really by choice, though I know it is good exercise.  My car is in the shop, and since Preston has been kind of "under the weather" the last few days, he's taken the car to work rather than ride bike.  Yesterday he dropped me off at work at 5am, and I decided I would just walk home.  It took my 45 minutes and my feet were burning with aching pain by the time I got home.  I ran them under cold water in the bath tub for a good 15 minutes, but they still hurt.  Ugh, it was not fun.  So I sat around the rest of the day, and then Preston gave me a foot rub before bed.

Today, I rode my bike to work.  

Biking is so much more efficient than walking.

Whoever says you can't ride bike while you're 7 months pregnant is wrong.

It's so much easier and faster than walking 2+ miles on hard concrete.

That's all for my updates for now :)