Official Blog of Marcus and Lisa Burnette :)
Before reading any further, please stop and pray for sweet Ava Hunter. You can read all about her and how to pray for her here: http://joshuajoelhunter.blogspot.com/
She and her family need and appreciate your prayers so much.
Currently, Marcus and I have 17 days left until our baby Bethany's due date. I have been 2cm dilated and 60% effaced for almost three weeks. I wasn't checked at my last appointment, so I don't know if I have made any more progression. I have been having Braxton-Hicks contractions for weeks. Some days they are very strong and frequent . . . and then some days, they're not as noticable - like today. Before I was so anxious about getting to go early, but now I'm starting to realize that I could very easily be one of those women who just stays dilated and effaced all the way until the end. Although, the craziest thing I'm experiencing is "down-there" pressure. I can't even describe it properly. Sometimes I feel like she's literally trying to push or crawl out of me. It's not painful . . . it's just a very odd sensation.
At 37+ weeks pregnant . . .I definitely FEEL pregnant. Here are my current symptoms:
- As of this past weekend, my hands and feet are swollen. My fingers don't look like sausages, thank goodness, but my rings do not fit anymore.
- Braxton Hicks contractions - on some days they are super frequent and super strong and other days they're not as noticable.
- I have experienced the nesting need. Last week, I cleaned the house, did another load of baby clothes, and insisted on bathing the cats . . . it has been a very long time since we've bathed our indoor cats.
- Bethany still nudges and bumps me, but she's not a hyperactive mover like some moms describe. Unless she's putting on the "trying to get out" pressure, sometimes she's so calm that I get nervous. I have not once experience being kicked in the ribs and I don't think I will since she has already dropped.
- My legs and back have actually felt great . . . which is strange since I've been working since the 16th of August. Sleeping, however, is sometimes difficult.
Marcus's birthday is this coming Saturday. I'm excited to celebrate his special day. Will Bethany arrive before then or afterward? I'm starting to feel like she's be here afterward . . . but only time will tell!
So far, August has actually been a pretty busy month. During the first week, Bobby and Katie came to stay with us along with visiting missionary family who are their friends. It was fun and interesting having company in our new home. Especially since the family had a three year old and five year old! It definitely gave me and Marcus a glimpse of what life will be like with small children!
On the seventh, we got to visit Aunt Beth, Uncle Gary, and their son Nicholas out at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. They came down for a family vacation and it was really nice getting to see them during their stay. I can't believe how much Nicholas has grown!
On the tenth, Marcus and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary. We had a really nice day together. After having a yummy lunch at Thai Basil, we went and preregistered at Winnie Palmer for delivery and then went a walked around the Altamonte Mall. We also visited a comic book store that Marcus had been wanting to visit. In addition to comics, the store had tons of toys from the 80's and it was hilarious how many things Marcus and I recognized from our own childhoods. For dinner, we had a lovely and romantic dinner at Colorado Fondue. It was SO good . . . but because my stomach is now so squished along with the rest of my organs . . . we had to take our dessert home (They package up the dessert and fondue chocolate and all you have to do is melt it at home!). It'll be nice when I can eat a full meal again without feeling uncomfortable!
This week we've put the finishing touches on the nursery and Marcus put together our stroller, car seat, and high chair. We're a little early on the high chair, but that's all right. Preplanning starts next week (I'm going back to work until the 10th of Sept.) and it is nice knowing that everything is pretty much ready for our baby girl's arrival. As of now, I'm 35 weeks pregnant with just 5 left to go. I'm excited. It's hard to put into words just how much we're looking forward to meeting our sweet daughter, Bethany.
Last weekend, our friends in Orlando gave us a wonderful baby shower for Baby Bethany!
Baby bathtub!
Diaper cake!
My family (and Sara - Sara is family!) also gave me a wonderful baby shower in Melbourne!
Cute critter stackers!
Both events left us feeling so loved. We know that our daughter is going to grow up around some really great people! These pictures don't even begin to show just how "showered" we were. Baby Bethany has lots of beautiful clothing, toys, accessories, and essentials to start her new life with us!
This was taken at Katy Haynicz-Smith's wedding. The ceremony and reception were absolutely beautiful and we had a great time!
Love the people that you love as well as you possibly can. I need to remember to do this everyday. Our days do not come guaranteed and we should not take them forgranted.
Please pray for the Freeburg family of Melbourne. I do not know them personally, but their 17-year-old son was killed in a tragic car accident in Melbourne. http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20107080313 I cannot begin to comprehend how difficult and painful this time must be for them.
I've been reminded often lately that life is precious.
A few weeks ago, my pastor's five-year-old niece was diagnosed with brain cancer. Her father has been blogging openly about the situation as a way to help us pray for them and especially, Ava. As I've read through Ava's father's blog, I've been challenged and inspired by his faith. A conversation that he wrote about having with his son really struck me.
"Noah asked me the other day if his sister was going to be ok. I said, "we believe she will." He said, "What do you mean, Dad? Why can't you promise me?" I told him..."I can't promise that you will be ok from here to Grandma's house when you leave the hospital, but I believe you will be." I was reminded by that conversation that God doesn't promise us tomorrow, but He promises that He is faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:9 tells us, "God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."
That, I can promise...because he promised me."
Please continue to pray for Ava. She is home now and doing well. We are praying for her whole and complete healing as well as for the strength and wisdom of her parents as they seek further treatment for their daughter at this time.
I'm thankful for God's faithfulness. I'm thankful for His Grace. I'm thankful for all the blessings I've been blessed with and I want to remember not to take them forgranted. The people I've been given to love and the days I've been given to live are gifts - not an entitlement. (Which can be very difficult to keep in mind sometimes. Just thinking about anything happening to my daughter scares me to the core . . . but before she is mine, she is His . . . and I have to trust God - no matter what!) Remembering that puts life in humbling perspective of gratitude.
Last night was my first experience with sleeplessness. Usually falling asleep is very easy for me. And no, counting sheep didn't help!
Tomorrow I will be 30 weeks pregnant and certain pregnancy symptoms are coming back just like the baby books said that they would. Some days I'm tired enough that I will take a nap. I haven't had too many cravings in this last trimester, but the other night, I ended up making some scrambled eggs because I had to have them. (This little girl really likes eggs. They've been one of my most dominant cravings.) My vivid dreams are also returning. Two nights ago, I had a dream where I gave birth on our couch. I kept waiting for pain that never came . . . just our baby. Then I asked Marcus to bring me a baby book because I thought we were supposed to keep the umbilical cord above the baby and not below and I wasn't sure I could feed her before the cord was cut. It was interesting to say the least! I think I've been watching too many baby shows on TLC.
Even though I haven't had much sleep, I really need to be productive today. I have errands I need to run, phone calls I need to make, and a house that needs some cleaning. Here's hoping that at least half of my list gets completed!
Marcus and I in Satellite Beach last year on the third of July.
Little did we know that at the very same date one year in the future, we'd be expecting a sweet baby daughter.
We're excited for our last Independence Day as just us and we're looking forward to when we celebrate our next one with 10-month old Bethany!
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Yesterday I took my glucose test and had an ultrasound. Bethany is getting so big that she doesn't completely fit in one ultrasound picture! It was still exciting to see her, even if she wouldn't let us get a glimpse of her face. She is head down - which is good news - but she decided to face my spine the entire time and wouldn't flip around. Our ultrasound technician wanted to give us a glimpse of her face in 3D for free, but Bethany wouldn't turn! We got to see her cute little arms and legs in 3D though, and that was exciting.
I don't know if it's the quality of the ultrasound or if Bethany's feet really are that big! When we saw her feet on the screen, Marcus and I both turned to each other and said, "She has big feet!" (I'm sure my daughter will appreciate this in the future.) She already weighs three pounds and three ounces, too. She's in the 66th percentile for weight, so she's a little big, but I was assured she's not too big. From what I've read, she weighs around what a baby weighs at 31 weeks gestation even though I am 28 weeks and six days pregnant. I asked how long she measures, but the technician said that she didn't take her length measurements, so we'll just have to see at delivery. The tech also did a gender check and Bethany is very much a baby girl! We can wash all of her clothes without worry!
The best news from yesterday's ultrasound was that everything looks good! My bags have fused together (which is why I had the scan - just ask if you want to know more) and the hematoma appears to be completely gone! The doctor gave the okay for moderate exercise and I'm looking forward to taking some evening walks! Such a blessing! Hopefully, the weather will cool down a bit . . .
In other exciting news, Marcus and I started our new Summit Connect Group this week. We're in a group with our old group members, Robyn and Doug, and some fantastic new couples from Waterford. (We have made the official move to Summit Waterford since moving to our new house.) Our first study will be Dignity Serves and I know it's going to be awesome!
FCAT scores were also finally released and the students at Arbor Ridge middle school did amazingly well. In reading, Arbor Ridge sixth and seventh graders showed 96% scoring at a level 3 or higher. In math, 99% of Arbor Ridge seventh graders scored a level three or higher which is incredible. Those are the highest percentages in the county. Aaaannndddd, not to be too boastful, but the eighth graders didn't do too shabby. We didn't make the employee newsletter, but in reading my Arbor Ridge eighth graders scored the highest out of all other eighth graders within Orange County with 87% scoring at a level 3 or higher! I couldn't have been more excited when I found out! The eighth graders at Arbor Ridge also took first out of all other eighth grades in math as well, with 94% scoring at a level 3 or higher. I'm so honored that I get to teach such amazing students!
On a more serious note, for those reading this, I would like you to stop and pray for Ava Hunter. Please continue to pray for her. She is the niece of my pastor at Summit Church and she has been diagnosed with brain cancer. This beautiful little five year old girl and her wonderful family are in need of your prayers. If you want to know about her and how to pray for her, you can read her dad's blog here: http://joshuajoelhunter.blogspot.com/
Before I had no clue how I was carrying, but by the looks of this photo I know that I'm carrying high.
This weekend was great. Marcus and I had a nice little date on Friday and thanks to restaurant.com we had a very affordable dinner at Black Hammock. (Restaurant.com is GREAT! It's a website where you can buy discounted gift certificates for local resturants. When the site runs coupon promotions, you can get amazing deals. We have paid $2 for $25 gift certificates! AND THEY WORK! When we first started using it, we had a hard time believing it was legitimate, but we've never had a gift certificate turned down!) After dinner, we went and finally saw Iron Man 2. It was really good and I'm glad Marcus got to see it while it was still in the theater since he has wanted to see it for awhile!
On Saturday morning, Marcus and I wanted to check out the Winter Springs Farmer's Market since we had never been. There was not very much offered, so for our Farmer's Market trips we will still be making the drive to Winter Park. I still haven't been to the one at Lake Eola, so we'll have to try and make it out there one Sunday too. The rest of the day was spent on yard work, hanging out with my sister, and grilling. Anna and I went to the Altamonte Mall where I had an unsuccessful time of trying to find a dress for a friend's upcoming wedding. The evening was a great success, however, and at home we had delicious ka-bobs from Cavallari's (YUM!), tomato and feta salad, corn on the cob, peas, potato bread rolls, finished with homemade chocolate cupcakes for dessert. Definitely a fantastic summer dinner.
Sunday was spent sleeping in and then watching Germany win over England in the World Cup. (YAY for Deutschland!) Marcus and I unpacked a few boxes, did some laundry, and went to church in the evening which we haven't done in quite sometime. Another nice little relaxing day!
Today . . .well, today is Monday . . . so it's my housecleaning day. Time to get motivated!
The photo above is from a Thanksgiving two years ago. My little cousin and my cousin's cousin are the girls in the picture. Marcus is helping them organize dollhouse furniture. They all played with the dollhouse for quite awhile that day! So cute! This is one of the first memories that came to mind when I was told we were having a little girl!
Today I am 28 weeks pregnant with just 12 weeks more to go! We're in the third and final trimester! My "What to Expect" iPhone app always gives you details on the week you're "in" and right now I'm reading all about week 29 since that's the week I'm starting. It's exciting! Our little girl is growing, growing, growing! Marcus and I think that Bethany will be a little early . . . but I think that's just because we're anxious to meet her. We'll be fine with whenever she decides to make her big debut!
Our week has been pretty laid back. I've been reading Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth. It definitely has me intrigued about going the natural route. I haven't completely made my decision yet, but I know my mom did it which is encouraging to me. Other than reading, I went out and got a few pieces of maternity clothing to help me make it through the summer and had lunch with some sweet friends I hadn't seen in quite some time. In the evenings, Marcus and I did a lot of cooking at home. I made chicken sandwiches and pot pies. Marcus used his new grill to make burgers and some delicious steak kabobs. Yum! Oh, and I cleaned the house earlier in the week. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Tonight is date night! I am defintely going to cherish the next 12 Friday evenings! They are probably the last 12 that Marcus and I will have as just the two of us! Tonight we may try "Black Hammock" - a nearby airboat place/fishcamp that also has a restaurant with a reputation for having yummy seafood. I don't know why, but I've really wanted some seafood lately! (Don't worry, I have my list of what I am allowed and not allowed to eat!)
