Showers of Blessing...

As corny as the title is, we've been incredible blessed by some truly spectacular showers. All so beautiful, creative, and generous. One of them was a surprise by my 7th grade girls small group, so there aren't any photos of that shower. However it was super special.

Abundant Life Shower {35 weeks}

Future Grandma & I

A time of devotion with prayers of blessing over our family. I blubbered!

Justine & I.

My hostesses...some of the bestest friends EVER.

Springfield Shower {33 weeks}

Auntie Lea, Nana, & I

Sister Pic!

Amazing hostesses...couldn't ask for better friends or sis!

RBC lovin!

SBU girlies!

Beautiful decor

Opperman Shower {30 weeks}

Spectacular hostess...not a better sis in law out there!

Soon to be grandma's & I

Can you see why we feel so blessed?! Axel is so loved by so many family and friends.

Completely unrelated, I have a prayer request. I went to the dr. today and found out there is a GREAT possiblity Axel is breach. If so, he has 2 weeks to turn, before other arrangements must be made. On January 31st at 8:45am we have an ultrasound scheduled to verify his position and further arrangements will be made based on what they see. We would so welcome your prayers, that if our precious little man is breach, that he would turn. I'm not gonna lie, I burst into tears as soon as we left the doctor. I realize this isn't life and death, however, in my type A little mind, this WAS NOT the plan. However, God is bigger. He sees the bigger picture. And I'm CHOOSING to place my trust in that very fact. These are just the beginnings of my mommy worries!

34/35 weeks?!?!

How Far Along: 34/35 weeks; depending if he's born on his first due date, Feb 14th, or the latter due date, Feb 21st. We're praying for the first;)

Size of baby: About 18 inches long and almost 5 lbs

Gender: BOY...Axel James Opperman

Sleep: I'm so blessed in this area. So far, no issues sleeping. I am starting to wake more frequently to pee, but I go right back to sleep.

Movement: He's my little (well, not feeling so little anyway) WILD man. I'm not just feeling movement in gentle kicks or in a nice confined space. He is ALL over. From pushing on my pelvic bone to shoving my ribs, he's got it all covered. Despite the physical discomfort I cherish the signs of life and glimpses of his personality.

Symptoms: Still nesting like a mad woman. More frequent trips to the potty...matter of fact he's began the "dropping" process, so my bladder is getting headbutted by our little man:). A bit of acid reflux, but nothing too crazy.

What I miss: CAFFEINE.

Cravings: Still the same: Greek yogurt with berries and honey, salad with gala apples, dried cranberries, and a sprinking of sunflower seeds (I eat this EVERY day for lunch-so good); and popcorn.

Best Moment this week: JOY. The Lord has really pressed on my heart the importance of my relationship with Him. Which doesn't sound like a novel concept, but I've found myself absorbed in all things of motherhood: nesting, setting up the nursery, showers, home projects, setting a newborn schedule, etc. And the Lord has been speaking to me the BEST thing I can do for Axel is cultivate and spend time with HIM. Are those things important, yes. But what kind of mother or strength can I obtain without him? So I've set aside QUALITY, uninterupted time with Him and made that my focus, instead of the other. And I've experienced JOY unspeakable. And MORE time in my schedule to do the other...amazing how God works, huh?! I shouldn't be surprised.

What I am looking forward to: Our final shower is on Saturday. So stoked! We've been so blessed by the love and generousity from family & friends.

"Let Loose"

I'm taking a break from the preggers posts/updates to share something on my heart this Christmas season. I'm sure many of you, if "many" even read this, are doing a victory dance due to growing weary of my growing belly pics and updates-ha!

This Christmas season has been especially meaningful to me. I don't know if its because we've been knee deep in ministry preparing for services for our 1st Christmas as B being on staff, or because I'm pregnant with our first born son, or maybe its the hormone rollercoaster-ha. But my Spirit has been more sensitive than ever before. As I've been digging in and studying the Christmas story, Luke 2:19-20 challenged me for this season and to carry on into this new season of our life.

Luke 2:19-20 "Mary kept ALL these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and LET LOOSE, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It truned out EXACTLY how they had been told." MSG

The words "let loose" stuck out to me, as it was written in this translation. What do you think of when you think of "let loose?" I think of jumping up and down, screeching/laughing in celebration, and of course DANCING. Whatever picture you get, its letting go of all inhabitions. You can't be inhibited and "let loose." Why did they do this? It was all an expression of praise to God for ALL they'd heard and seen regarding the birth of Christ. They'd found the birth EXACTLY how the heavenly host proclaimed. God's plan was coming to pass, just as the prophets foretold, and the angels proclaimed to them. They were praising because he had finally sent Jesus; the Saviour, Lord, and Christ. And their response was just as ours should be today; they LET LOOSE. How many Christmases do we let go by and simply awknowledge (if that) our Saviour's birth? When was the last time you (or me) truely LET LOOSE in our response to the birth of our Saviour and the saving grace through Him? When was the last time we couldn't contain our joy of the coming of our Christ, but had to SHOUT it from the rooftops or we'd explode? The shepherds provide such a clear picture of what our response should look like this season: LET LOOSE: let go of all your inhabitions, dance in joy, screech/laugh in delight, and then SHARE it. Let the JOY of your Saviour and salvation LET LOOSE this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas from the Opperman's!

pReggErs PiCs

so blessed.

The Bump

Had to get some jumpin photos. Bri got a lot more air than me!

This was supposed to be a serious photo of him sweetly kissing my belly. This is how it turned out;)

Don't worry, Axel was NOT harmed in the process. We did a baby position check prior to "lift off"

Does he really think he stands a chance in a belly bumpin' contest with me? I think not...

This is his attempt for a baby bump...not so much.

We are at 30 weeks, folks, not long! We are getting more and more elated for Axel's arrival each day.

a babymoon, a couple gobble photos, & 29 weeks

So I'm behind...shocking I know. So much has happened since the last posting...babymoon, Thanksgiving, childbirth classes, maternity photos, and Christmas is in full swing. Which in our house means heaps of Christmas decor, shopping for gifts, Christmas parties galore, and church activities/rehearsals a plenty! Instead of a lengthy post here are some photos of lately....

My sis and I at Thanksgiving. We weren't expecting her & my bro in law to come, but it was a last minute surprise. So thankful.

On our babymoon...I was excited to feed Axel this yummy salad at this amazing restaurant with a killer view of the lake.

Our accomodations on our babymoon. Quiet cabin on the lake. It was PERFECT!
We had the best time. We just loved spending every second together. We played games, fished (tried, a little cold), watched movies, read, shopped (B is a trooper), relaxed, and LAUGHTED a lot. Loved our quality time!
Technically this was at 28 weeks, but we're gonna use it for 29 weeks since I'm officially 29 weeks...almost to the 30s...woohoo!!!

How Far Along: 29 weeks

Size of baby: About 15 inches long and 2 1/2 lbs

Gender: BOY...Axel James Opperman

Movement: Still such an active little man, so much so, that at my last dr appt she commented he was one of the most active babies she's seen/felt. However, he is growing and running out of room. His movements are getting bigger but are more rolling than sudden jolts. This could be a challenge in my smaller body with a boy growing like daddy;)

Sleep: I'm so blessed in this area. So far, no issues sleeping. I am starting to wake more frequently to pee, but I go right back to sleep.

Symptoms: A fairly new symptom: NESTING. I've been on a cleaning/organizing/decorating/baking frenzy. And I LOVE it. However I'm worn out by the end of my "episodes." Also, sugar and my digestive system...not friends. At least it helps minimize weight gain;) Gotta find the upside!

What I miss: CAFFEINE.

Cravings: Greek yogurt with berries and honey, salad with gala apples, dried cranberries, and a sprinking of sunflower seeds (I eat this EVERY day for lunch-so good); and popcorn.

Best Moment this week: So many great memories these last couple of weeks. Highlights would be our babymoon, my last dr appt which consisted of my glucose test and rogham shot (just glad to have it behind me...literally), childbirth prep class, and getting our preggers pics taken. Tiffany from Growing Roots Photography did them and I can't wait to see how they turned out. It was such fun. You know you have a great photographer when you take photos in 30 degree weather and have a blast! We'll definitely post them when we get them!

What I am looking forward to: Our first shower is Saturday. I'm beyond thrilled. Brian's sis is throwing me an Opperman Family Shower. Photos to come!

Progress {total} of the 2nd Trimester

I'll start the last update of my 2nd trimester with progress photos. You'll definitely be able to see a distinct "bump." He's a growing boy! {I got bored with the "typical" poses, so I spiced it up and had fun with it...shocker, I know!}

{side view}

Here is a "normal" one.

I was testing my lighting. And it came out to be a decent photo. I have to take those when I can get them these preggers days...call me vein, but I'm just being honest!

This will be the last progress update for my 2nd Tri. I'm exactly 26 weeks and 5 days. As of the beginning of next week I will begin my 3rd Trimester, well according to my doctor, its all approximate. I LOVED my second trimester, but I'm looking forward to the 3rd. And then for Axel's arrival. Without further adeu...my last progress update for my 2nd trimester of my first born...

How Far Along: 26 weeks and 5 days

Size of baby: 14 inches and 1 2/3 lbs...almost 2lbs...such a growing little man!

Gender: BOY...Axel James Opperman

Movement: We definitely have our hands full is womb personality is any indication of his true personality. Our little man is extremely ACTIVE. His movements grow each day, and he's establishing a routine. He lets me know he's there after breakfast, around 1pm, and laying in bed. His movements are so big that he's shaking my whole belly. I just love bonding with my little man.

Sleep: Like a baby;) The more I read about newborns the more confusing that saying is...cause it doesn't seem they sleep much. However, I'm true to the saying. I'm sleeping soundly. It just takes me a bit longer to get comfy.

Symptoms: I'm feeling a bit stretched as the baby bump grows. I kinda feel as if I've swallowed a bowling ball...ha! However, the doctor did warn that he's looking to be built like his daddy. Ouchie for mommy! And I can't remember a thing. I literally write EVERYTHING down. But I really can't complain in this department. I've been blessed.

What I miss: CAFFEINE.

Cravings: Again, I think this is a myth. Mine change weekly if not daily. Right now we're loving greek yogurt with fresh blueberries.

Best Moment this week: So many great memories these last couple of weeks. We got and assembled the furniture for his nursery, started decorating the nursery, made appts with the maternity care coordinator/childbirth classes/parenting classes, picked out/met with our pediatrician, and lots more like this. Its making it all so real. However, my absolute favorite highlight is watching him move and being able to distinguish his little features. We've felt elbows and I think his little booty. I'm pretty sure he "moons" us often...ha!

What I am looking forward to: Our babymoon! We leave next week and I'm beyond thrilled (don't worry we'll be with family on Thanksgiving-just a little getaway).