PICTURES!

I finally uploaded pictures...they might seem kind of random...a little of Ellie's nursery, baby showers, farm-o-ween and such.

YOUNG LIFE BABY SHOWER

On Sunday, I was blessed to have a Baby Shower hosted by Sherry Miller and Jennifer Governale (two women on our YL Committee for Mill Creek). It was so much fun to share this exciting time with the committee ladies and all of my YL girls! They have been so excited since we told them we were expecting and couldn't wait to buy clothes (and shoes) for Ellie!

Delicious cake from Publix

Some of the girls and I before the fun began.

Measuring to see who guessed the proper amount of TP squares to fit around my belly...Lauren Governale won. You can see how much my stomach has grown in this picture. I have not been good about taking "belly pictures" so this will have to do.

Some gifts from the shower...

SHOES!

First monogramed gift, a blankie/stuffed animal from Jennifer Governale...so soft!

Abby Dollar made this sweet frame with John 1:16 inside. Abby is very creative and I love the verse!

LOTS AND LOTS OF DIAPERS!!

FARM-O-WEEN

My sister, Krissy, and I at the Northern Gwinnett Young Life "Farm-o-ween"

I was lame and didn't dress up this year...but it was lots of fun! Esteban hosted "Farm-o-ween" this year so he had to have a good costume- he and some of his YL guys wore all black and painted their faces and hair...too scary to put on a sweet baby blog :) They had a lot of fun and he got his scary costume out this year because Ellie would be too scared in the years to come.

THE NURSERY

A few nursery shots...still rearranging and putting everything in its place, but just wanted to show our pretty furniture and bedding.

The convertible crib

The crib

Closer look at the bedding.

Ellie's "First Teddy" hanging out in the crib.

Dresser/Changing table

Book shelf/toy box (not decorated or organized here, just wanted to show off this pretty piece of furniture)

The top of the book shelf- we found pink ABC blocks at Target and spelled out ELIZABETH.

Rocking chair from MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER ELIZABETH! My mom used it with all 5 of us kids, painted, striped and re-stained a few times over the years. We decided to keep it the natural color. The blanket hanging on the chair was made by my Grandma for Ellie.

BELLY PICTURE

36 weeks pregnant!

36 week appointment

Today we had our 36 week appointment with Dr. Arrona. She said everything is looking and sounding good. I am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. (She said that is a "gift" because if I needed to be induced for any reason from here on out they would be able to.) Ellie's heartbeat sounds great and she is growing "perfectly." We are now going to the doctor every week...which is making everything even MORE real! We are getting sooo close and it is really hard not to be anxious. My prayer has been to trust the Lord's perfect timing and enjoy this time before parenthood begins. Esteban and I have been having a lot of fun together lately (mainly just hanging out and relaxing because we both have so much going on right now in a million different directions). I finally have all my sub plans together for my maternity leave, which is such a HUGE sigh of relief!

School Baby Showers!

Everyone at Meadowcreek (the high school I teach at) has been so sweet and loving to me since I have been there, especially this year since I am pregnant. They are always checking on me and making sure I'm doing well. The students sometimes get too personal with questions and wanting to touch my stomach 24/7, but it is sweet that they care about me and are interested. My department is always good about celebrating birthdays or other special occasions within our little group, so they organized a school baby shower for me. Katie and I coached volleyball together and have become good friends since I started teaching last year, she was the main organizer of the shower and it was a lot of fun! I got some adorable outfits for Ellie- including a pink fur coat!! Anyone who knows me, knows I am not too into that sort of thing, but this one is sooooo cute! It's for 3-6 months so I hope she is big enough to wear it when it's cold!

On Fridays, my two Intro to Early Childhood Education classes have "Fun Friday." Students sign up for a Friday and are to come up with an activity for children any where from ages 2-6. They are required to bring in enough supplies for the entire class to participate, have a lesson plan to turn into me, etc. since we don't have children they can practice with. Well, this week the student assigned got the class together and had a surprise baby shower for me! I honestly had no idea! They had another teacher talk to me in the hall until the bell rang so they could set everything up. There was even a hostess who had games planned, cake, and gifts! It was a great way to end the week!

I have been starting to feel a LOT more pressure on my pelvis and occasional mild cramps and "acheyness." The doctor said these are all good and normal symptoms...I am anxious to go to the doctor Wednesday and see how everything is looking. I can't believe how close we are now!!! I have a hospital bag ready to go and definitely been feeling the "nesting" symptoms because I want everything in the house to be perfect all the time. I guess in my mind I want it all to be together so whenever it may be that we go to have her, we can come home to a clean house...not like it's not going to be messy once she gets here! LOL

I did not sleep well at all last night, so I slept in- missed church, but I am feeling good and rested. It is beautiful today so I think Esteban and I are going to go on a walk at Little Mulberry Park and then I have to get ready for my Young Life baby shower today! All of the girls have been so excited about the baby since we told them at the end of last school year and I love being able to share this with them, and EVERYONE!

I really need to post pictures sometime in the near future! I promise I will soon! Thanks for your love, support and prayers!

Time for REST!

I am slowly realizing it is getting harder to move around and get comfortable. I am still feeling great, but I am 33 weeks pregnant now. As I mentioned a little before, I was the varsity assistant volleyball coach at the high school I teach at this year. Not only had I never played the sport, but I am also pregnant... thankfully, the girls were very understanding about that :) I had a lot of fun and learn a LOT this season, but I am VERY thankful it ended this past week!! Teaching a full day and then staying until 5:30 pm (or later if we had matches) was getting to be too much! To top off the volleyball season being over, we have a 4 day weekend!!! Friday was a furlough day (state budget cuts) and Monday is Columbus Day. I think everyone needed this little break! On Thursday I was asking my students what they had planned for the long weekend and the majority of them said "SLEEP!"

I am very limited on what I can do around the house...I don't sit still very well and always like to be reorganizing, cleaning, etc. but thankfully my growing belly tells me I'm not allowed! :) I have been able to use this time to truly hang out with Esteban and not do anything! Este and I (well I really just watched) rearranged some furniture in the house and have the nursery officially set up! The house looks great! I love that all of our furniture goes well together so we can mix and match it to fit where we want it. My sister came over last night to hang out with us- I love that she can drive now! Krissy helped me put together the stroller, pack-n-play, and bouncy seat! I am so excited to have all the major things ready to go for Ellie! We need to hang a few things on the walls, but nothing major. To give myself a little project, I have been gathering things together for my "hospital bag." Nothing crazy, but something practical I can do without spending too much money!

I will post some pictures of the nursery soon!

8 months!

I can not believe we are now 8 MONTHS!!!! I have truely enjoyed this pregnancy, but ready to meet our baby girl!!! I have been super busy with school and volleyball this week, but I think being busy helps the time go by faster. Volleyball will be over next week, I am so excited about getting home hours earlier and get more involved with Young Life now that I will have a much more open schedule!

I had my 32 week appointment on Friday- everything is great (my weight, my blood pressure, Ellie's heartbeat and my uterus size). I am starting to realize how much more I need to slow down and rest...my belly is helping me limit how much I can do. I am slowly starting to get everything organized in Eliie's room. I washed all the clothes we have so far and sorted them into sizes- we have a good amount of clothes for newborn, 0-3, 3-6 and even some 6-12 month sizes.



Thought it was time to do the survey again...

How far along? 32 weeks, 1 day

Total weight gain? almost 40 pounds

Stretch marks? thankfully, none!!

Sleep? I LOVE sleep! I have no trouble falling asleep and I usually only wake up once to use the bathroom. Esteban goes to bed after me and I rarely wake up when he comes in, although he says I usually talk to him! LOL

Best moment this week? Baby Shower and being surprised by my aunt and cousin!!

Movement? YES! Ellie might be a volleyball player because she moves like crazy during practices and games. Other then that, I usually only feel her move when I am laying down or sitting still. The doctor said my placenta is on the front side of my uterine wall, which is like a little pillow or buffer...which is why i dont feel her movement as strong. I still feel enough to know everything is good and she's having fun in there!

Food cravings? Lately I have been craving breakfast food- especially from Cracker Barrel or Papa Jacks. I also crave big meals- Mexican and Italian...trying to eat "good," but with such a busy schedule it is way too hard to plan and cook meals at home! Eating out will for sure be stopping once Ellie is here!

Labor signs? Not yet, hopefully not for a little bit longer

Belly button in or out? In between...not really "out" but pretty close to it...

Wedding rings on or off? I had to stop wearing them a few months ago so I bought a fake silver band so I would have a "wedding ring" on...I can't wait to wearing my pretty ring again!

What I miss eating? Publix turkey sub...,my mom knows this is the first thing I want at the hospital :)

What I am looking forward to? Working out!!!!!!!!!! I have always enjoyed working out and being active, but I have even more motivation to get back into it now!!

Weekly wisdom? Continue eating well throughout the entire pregnancy...I can tell a BIG difference on the days I eat good amounts of proteins and when I don't. I am trying to soak up the end of the pregnancy and not get too anxious!

Baby Shower for Ellie!

This past Sunday, I was "showered" with gifts for Ellie! My mom, my sister (Krissy), and 3 of my good friends (Amber, Britney, Lauren) all worked together to plan the best baby shower! I am so thankful for all the time and energy they put into it! Britney was in Atlanta for the weekend so she came over Sunday morning and we went over to my mom's house together. On the way over I was telling her how I really wanted to visit my family in New York...we walked into my mom's house to find my Aunt Gail and cousin, Liz, standing in the kitchen!!!! They had surprised us all and flew in for the shower! I know it sounds cheesey, but it was the best gift I could of asked for! It was soo good to see them and get some pregnant pictures together with Liz!

Diaper Cake with home-made candy pacifiers by Britney!!

Amazingly yummy cake from Publix!

Cookies Amber made as the party favor- they were sooo good!

She used the recipe from kitchengifts.com

Center piece basket my mom put together.

Aunt Gail, Liz, me and Mom

The girls on the St. George side (minus Danielle)

Liz almost 16 weeks and me almost 32 weeks!

I was overjoyed with EVERYONE that was able to come! Before we played the games Amber and Lauren organized, they had everyone go around the room and say their name and how they knew me. I just love having so many special people in my life all together in one place! We had lots of good food (Britney's mom, Debbie, even brought chicken salad from the Apple Cake Tea Room in Knoxville, TN- my favorite!)

Britney and her mom, Debbie

Wonderful hostess, Amber and Lauren

Life long friends-Natalie, Amber and Lauren

My cousin Keelin, Aunt Kelly, mom, & Aunt Gail eating on the deck

Some of the ladies

Amber and Lauren explaining game #1- guessing the "diameter" of my belly

Passing the string around...making guesses (Mrs. Scates in the white sweater won!)

Britney making her prediction...

Julie Scott and Christy Howard guessing baby foods- game #2

Liz went the safe route smelling before tasting!

Haley "sampling" the baby foods.

Christa (AJ's girlfriend) showing how yummy that baby food is!

I can't thank everyone enough for all the love and support Esteban and I have received! We can't wait for Ellie to be loved by everyone!

Sweet (and VERY soft) blanket my Grandma made- the tag said "Made with Love by Great Grandma"

Everyone said "AWW" when I opened it :)

*The invitation asked everyone to bring their favorite children's book...this was one of my favorite things about the shower! It is so neat how everyone has their family's favorite book and now they are all a part of Ellie's first book collection! Many of the books have personal notes to Ellie inside, something we will always treasure!

Jamie and Caitlin Raines drove in from Clemson for the day to be at the shower! I started "babysitting" these awesome girls when I was 12!

Joannie, Kelly, Jamie and Caitlin Raines with Krissy, mom and I. So happy they came!!

My sister, Krissy, and her good friend Erin Miller

Sherry Miller- dear friend of my mom and also great family friend to Esteban and I as part of our Young Life committee.

Aunt Gail, mom, and Aunt Kelly

Esteban came by at the end to see everyone and help gather up all the wonderful gifts!

**THANK YOU to EVERYONE**

We are so blessed and thankful for all the love and wonderful gifts!

**My sweet mother-in-law, Grandma, Aunt Mary and dear friend, Lisa, all sent wonderful gifts although they were not able to be there in person**

The Big 3-0

30 weeks (7 1/2 months) today! Very exciting to hit the 30s now! I can't say enough how thankful I am to continue to have such a great pregnancy! The baby has started to move so much more and it is so fun to watch my stomach move all over the place! My biggest craving lately has been breakfast food! I haven't been able to wear my wedding ring since this summer and I miss it!!! My fingers aren't too big in the mornings, but by the time I end volleyball practice in a hot gym they are huge!


I realized that although it has never been a secret, we haven't officially announced what our daughter's name is! As soon as the tech told us we are having a GIRL, Esteban said "Ellie" was the first name that came to mind. We both liked that name from the beginning so I said "Sounds good to me!" and that was it! Her full name is Elizabeth Mackenzie Lopez. Elizabeth was my great-grandmother's name (on my mom's side), my mom's middle name and my cousin's name (Liz). To add to the fun family connections, Esteban's mom's middle name is Isabel, which is the Spanish version of Elizabeth. I really wanted to use a family name so it was a perfect fit! We originally liked Rhyan or Mackenzie as the middle name...I really wanted to use Rhyan, but Esteban and I have decided to go with Mackenzie. We both went to The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Esteban really wanted to use Mackeznie because of the Mackenzie Arena on UTC's campus (the Mackenzie Arena is also where Este worked as an academic advisor his first year out of college). Decision is officially made, no more changes! :)


Today was our 30 week doctor's appointment, which went great! The doctor said my weight, blood pressure, uterus size and baby's heart beat are all perfect! Can't get better news then that! Got to love short and sweet doctor's appointments!


Thanks for all your love and prayers. It has been so much fun to share this experience with everyone!