Into the lake

There are times as a parent that I feel the pressure to do something that I don't want to do.

This week I felt that pressure.

We went down to Arkansas for my Nanny's 80th Birthday and while we were down there we stayed with my parents in their camper. We went thinking that at some point we would take the girls swimming, but when Adam had to leave to go back home to get back to work I knew that we most likely would not end up going down to the lake.

Kaylee kept asking to go swimming "with the fish in the lake" and so the parental pressure was on. Let me provide you with a little background. I absolutely hate swimming in lakes in general. The bottom feels disgusting and overall the experience grosses me out.

But since Kaylee really wanted to go, I took her and Elanor down to the lake for a quick swim. And honestly hated every minute of the actual swim which was more of a wade (on painful rocks) with 2 clinging children.

But I am so glad I took them.

They learned more about trusting me and that they can let go a little and know that I will still catch them. (and in this case not let them drown) I was able to see their excitement about going into the water and see them go from not trusting at all to relinquishing complete control over to me. They both had so much fear in the beginning, but by the end had complete faith in my ability to keep them safe.

This is such a beautiful reminder to me of how I am with God at times. I go in excited but completely lacking in faith and come out of it trusting and completely willing to give my control of the situation over to Him.

It is definitely a...

Girl!

Our family of 5 will be complete with 3 little girls! Our little Charlotte looks great and would not stay still. Her spine and heart looked fabulous! She is measuring right at 18 weeks and just like Kaylee and Elanor, she has very long legs. (No wonder I have been feeling her move for weeks!)

Her profile is so sweet.

She is such a little mover. She would not stay still so that the technician could get all the pictures that she wanted. She kept having to push on my stomach to make her move around back to her last position.

Can't wait to meet our little girl!

Boy or Girl

Tomorrow we find out the sex of the baby.

To say I am anxious would be an understatement.

Elanor wants another sister. Kaylee wants a brother like her friends Anelise, Leah, and Addison.

I love my girls. They are best friends. And a bond that I never had with my brother. Sisters.

If this baby is another girl, I will be happy for her that she and her sisters will grow up close and have that sisterly bond. Clothes will not be an issue because we are swimming in girl clothes.

But I would be lying if I said that I didn't hope this baby is a boy. A boy that Adam can take hunting and fishing. A boy that he can wrestle with. A boy that can carry on the family name. A boy to play in the dirt and collect sticks.

When Adam and I first got married, he always said he wanted 5 boys. Right now we are on target for 5 girls.

If you know me, you know I will be happy no matter the outcome of tomorrow's ultrasound. I simply want a beautiful healthy growing baby. I am so thankful that we are finally at this point in the pregnancy.

Until tomorrow.