Merry Christmas! The much anticipated baby room pictures!

Ok, I tried to post last night before the candelight service and the computer froze- I saw today most pictures made it on, but I added the last one this morning!

It's finished wtih little time to spare! I'm so happy with the way it turned out! I have to say thank you to Brett, Kathy, Jarrod, Elizabeth, and my mom for their advice and help. Thank you to Anna and Brian for letting us borrow their glider!

I love the butterflies that hang down in the corner. If you notice, there is no name yet above the crib. The paper has been picked out, but the LJ is helping with the letters AFTER she is born!
The armoire is awesome! It holds so much stuff! Ialso added in some decorations from my shower that Tricia gave me.

The changing table was a steal and matches the crib perfectly.

A close up of the corner we will spend many nights in rocking and feeding.

A close up of the shelf above the changing table. Those two really cute babies in the frame are Brett and I when we were little!

Another close up of a frame with her sonogram picture and blessings box we got at a shower.

On the way out we have these two vintage signs posted. :)

Merry Christmas!

YL Girls

Thank you Morgan for posting more pictures of the YL shower. :) The shower was so fun and I'm going to miss my high school friends- we will stay in touch, but I'll miss seeing you girls all the time! There's always facebook and texting, right? Don't forget about me girlies!

Morgan, my sweet friend who is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside!

YL girlies!

Lovely All Area Plano YL- 80's Style!

I tried to be as 80's as I could be 8 months pregnant!

Christmas is here!

We are so excited about Christmas this year. The anticipation of not knowing when she is coming has caused us to run around and try to do as much as we can early on. There are so many things going on right now we are just trying to keep it all straight and enjoy this time of it just being the 3 of us. 3 as in Brett, Jackson, and myself... Jackson is soaking up all the attention now and loves to sit on or sooooo close to my tummy. I really believe he knows she is coming!

Brett put up our Christmas lights and I have to say that he did a GREAT job! I love how they look and get us in that Christmas spirit. I'm also thankful he didn't fall off the roof- we've been waiting for a good weekend day that hasn't been to wet!

I love the red and white candy cane columns and how you can see our tree from the street! This is our first "big" tree since this is our first Christmas in our house.

Husband Shout Out

I'm really proud of Brett for all the hard work he has been doing and especially for helping me more around the house and taking care of me! I'm so glad I married him! We can't wait to see the little girl that Christmas and the New Year brings!
Merry Christmas!

Almost There

Thanksgiving Bump Picture

We are almost there. So close to seeing our baby girl for the first time. I am now 36 weeks and really starting to wonder what life will be like after she comes. Her room is getting the finishing touches and all her clothes , blankets, etc. have been washed and folded. The books have been read, classes attended, and advice (all the advice wanted or unwanted) has been heard. I've come to the conclusion that all I need is God, His Word, and strength to carry me through this. Brett and I have so much to be thankful for and on top of it all we are going to be blessed with a baby- a gift from above.

This past week was the first time during the whole pregnancy that I was actually worried about her and what was going on inside that I couldn't see. Because my stomach hadn't grown in a few weeks the doctor scheduled an ultrasound for this past Friday. Being laid back and not wanting to worry I didn't ask many questions, not nearly as many as Brett had for me on the phone later that day! (Protective Daddy) After a talk with the Dr. we understood it was a precaution to ensure she was growing and healthy. Well, let me assure you the sonogram showed she is growing and is actually on the larger size! God calmed our fears, but created some anxiety for me and the delivery of a possibly bigger baby! That day made me realize though no matter what happens in our life- the storms and calm seas, we have to be focused on God and continue to have a relationship with Him. I'm so thankful that He can calm my fears and He can take pain away and that we can rejoice simply by what He has already done for us. In all things, we can rejoice.

I have a few pictures from the Young Life shower last Wednesday, but they are on my jump drive and I have to remember where I put that thing!

Here are some pictures of the red hall girls (K-2, special ed.) on our last day before the break and Lisa Stewart's last day before she has baby girl.

This picture is myself, Brandy (just finished first trimester), and Lisa who is 5 weeks ahead of me!

Here are the four of us who are pregnant in my hallway at school! Don't drink the water! hehe Lisa is due first- Thanksgiving day, than me- New Years' Day, than Brandy and Ashley are in May!

My Second Shower

My shower at Tricia's house was so fun! Thank you to Tricia, Carole, Elizabeth, and Emma! The food was so yummy, the decorations were so cute (precious dad actually), and the time spent with friends and a family was priceless. I got so many adorable outfits and loved the onesies people made for me. Especially the onesie that was made for Aunt Kim.

Yesterday was my 3 year anniversary with Brett and we got to hang out with our high school friends. I got the better end of the deal because of the shower the girls had for me. Brett got to watch a "manly" movie with the boys. Pictures of that shower will pop up as soon as someone tags me in a picture! You know I'm bad about taking pictures myself. Brett and I are going to dinner Friday night and I'm really looking forward to spending time with him and relaxing! Not one day passes that I don't thank God for giving me such a kind, sweet husband. (who's very tough though everyone) hehe

We also finished up our preparation for childbirth classes at the hospital so now we are ready- NOT! The more I find out, the more I want to read and research about. I have learned so much already about labor and delivery and I'm learning more about the first few weeks home with baby now. I know He is with us and never leaves us so most of my anxiety and fear is subdued.

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Counting down to the Thanksgiving Break!

Shower Time!

This past Saturday I had my first shower. The group of girls that threw me the shower were first "teacher friends", but have turned out to be life long friends. Even though some have moved and some have moved schools, we are able to still stay in touch, and every time we get together we have FUN FUN FUN! I am so blessed with their friendship and the friendship of the other teachers, family, and my community group of girls that came to the shower. Baby Pasionette Authority She-Nasty Sims (hehe) got so many gifts! Her dad was busy that afternoon putting it all together- more pics. of that to come. :)

Mom-to-be and Nana!

Thanks to everyone who came and sent well wishes! Sandie- we need to take a picture at the shower this Saturday so I can have both grandmothers on here!

October 29th,

I finally got the 3d picture scanned- thanks Liz! Here is a profile pic of her with her arm/hand by her head. That's how she has been every time we've seen her- one arm up!

We also have not just 3 names we like, but now 4 to choose from. There is one front runner and the other 3 we are toying with. We are at 30 weeks, almost 31 and things are starting to come together. We are going to Canton this weekend to look for a dresser and of course bows!
I can't help but think it and say it- God is good, He is always good. I mean look what we are creating right now! How is that even possible? It's amazing.

October 25

30 weeks and counting! We can't wait to meet baby... Brettsy as some of you call her. We have two possible names now and are working on a third to choose from at the birth. Everything is coming together nicely and soon we are painting the room and putting up bead board! I have a 3d sonogram of baby Sims and will put it on here shortly!

The first annual Sims' Halloween Party was fun and every one's costumes were great! From Michael Jackson to a whoopie cushion! We were having way to much fun to take pics, but here are some our friends took!

Bella from Twillight and a Tooth Fairy you probably had never imagined!

My teammates- a Publisher Clearinghouse Winner, a Flapper, and me- almost a vampire!

Halloween friends! Love the helmet Sarah!

We bought a crib!

Here is a store picture. We love the beadboard and soft white color. It was funny because I took my sister there to see it and we couldn't find it because it was on clearance towards the back. So I got a good crib at a good price!

Here is a store picture of the bedding we chose also. I couldn't get a close up of the quilt for ya, but it's cottage style with several different prints of flowers. :)

Tomorrow I will be 6 months and I'm so excited! We've ordered the bedding and can't wait for it to arrive. We have two names we like and are thinking of a third so we will have 3 to choose from when she comes. School is starting to settle in so I'm glad for that and my student teacher! I can't wait until she is teaching more and I'm sitting down more.

August 29

The first week of school was crazy, but fun. The students are so interested in the baby, her name, and saying goodbye to her everyday- it's real sweet. So drum roll please... here are the sonogram pictures! I had to use Elizabeth's lab top/scanner to get them here!

This is the alien baby picture taken on August 4th. Isn't she beautiful? hehe I love scaring people with this picture. She is looking right at the camera, you can see her eyes/nose/mouth area.

This sonogram picture was taken 3 weeks later on August 25th. She is laying on her back- head on the right looking up. They said she was practicing her breathing by sucking in and out amniotic fluid. They say she weighs a pound now. Her favorite position is sleeping on her tummy, but we got her to move so we could get some different angles.

Oh and the pressure, the pressure of a name... Movie quote- Pretty Women!
We have decided to think of 2 or 3 we like and name her when we see her. Brett and I are keeping our favorites a secret, although some know of names we liked from early on... we love suggestions and ideas, but we can't say anything!

So today while I was sitting in the enormous Prestonwood Church, listening to the speaker for our district"pep rally", I kept praying- Lord give me strength and energy this year. I'm already exhausted and the year hasn't even started! I also thought more about baby names and came up with a list of ones I like..
Here are my requirements:
1. something unique, but not weird
2. doesn't rhyme with anything, well anything stupid
3. a name that doesn't have to be asked, "Is that with a y or i?" any kind of weird spellings are out
4. has to mean something to me or Brett
5. respectable name in case she becomes the first women president, or leadership position
6. can not be any kind of exotic dancer names, or dog names
7. no student names that I've had- past or present

Also I am going to slam Ikea for all of you who like it. The directions are nonexistent, their stuff is cheap, and they don't exchange damaged goods without receipts (usually- they did with me today at the "sale price" from last week) My easel was warped and I threw the packaging away with the receipt in my classroom (I know smart ahhh), so I had to pay $ 5 more for what I bought 2 weeks ago. So put up your guard if you decide to enter that huge place that smells like cinnamon rolls!
Ok I feel better now that I have that off my chest! Have a great Hump Day tomorrow!

Ending of Summer

Brett and I had so much fun on our staycation/babymoon at the Gaylord. It was so nice to be away and in a nice hotel without going far. The best thing about that place is that they keep the pool so cold it feels great!

And I have to talk about our first baby, Jackson (the yorkie)... He has a favorite spot in our house right by the window! He just watches people and is on the lookout for bunnies!

I also have a big shout out to give to my husband, Brett. He has worked so hard in the yard turning what used to be our backyard dirt pile into a pretty lawn. He had Jose (my dad Joe) to help him and Steve. In return they all got poison oak! Yikes! Brett's been itching for 3 weeks now and on medicine. I hope it goes away soon!
I promise soon to scan in the sonogram pictures! I know you all want to see alien baby! I haven't felt her move yet, I think she's just chillin for the time being!

August 7

I feel a little like Carrie from Sex and the City typing my thoughts down. I think I could get used to this... After reading over and over Hannah's story in the bible and crying out to God for a baby, just like her, I've realized how I should have sought comfort more and more in Him during the harder times in my life...
We had our checkup today with Dr. B. and everything looks great! Baby Sims is growing and I can't wait to feel her move. Driving home today from the appointment, I kept thinking about how God is good. He is always good, but it's so much easier to see that in happier times, than in the midst of trials. My prayer today is that I continue to seek out how He is always good and that it is His will, not mine.
I will soon scan in some of our sonogram pics- even the alien baby one! Technology is so cool.

August 6, 2009

Since we are starting on the baby adventure, I figured we could also start on the blogging adventure. Right now I'm not too sure about this whole blogging thing, I hope I get the hang of it!