Happy Tomorrow is Friday Day!

I figured it was time for another belly shot! Today, Caden is 26 weeks old... hurray! We tell him happy birthday every Thursday, it has come to be one of my favorite days of the week for this very reason, and who doesn't like a day when the next day is Friday! And Friday's in Austin mean Dance Party Friday on the Bobby Bones Show. I will most definitely have to dedicate an entire blog to this, but for now just imagine me cruising down the highway, and by cruising I mean crawling in traffic listening to some of my favorite old school hip-hop jams. Yes that's right... Caden and I bump into work every Friday morning with a little spring in our step...livin' the Hip-Hop lifestyle! I'll have to tell you later about my obsession with spinners... I love them!

So, in reality I've got much more to blog about than my Friday music choices, but no time to  do it all justice tonight... I've got to get dinner on the table and find that perfect spot on the couch for Thursday night TV... Grey's anybody? 

I think looking like I have a basketball in my belly totally ups my street-cred... what do y'all think? Caden must be really cool... he'll come out of the womb with automatic street-cred...no doubt!

Happy 'tomorrow is Friday' day! 

OH... and because tomorrow is Dance Party Friday I will do a very special shout-out to my sister-in-law Emily and dedicate  50 Cent's 'In Da Club' for her happy birthday song! Happy Birthday EM... hope tomorrow is a GREAT day!! 

Caden's Goin' Green

Even though Ike didn't bring us a DROP of rain, Justin and I still decided to follow through with our "Stay Indoors Saturday" plan. Justin was determined to get Caden's room painted this weekend and he had it finished by 3:30 this afternoon! Justin spared me from breathing in paint fumes all day and did all of the handy-work himself, but just in case Caden ever asked I was sure to lend a hand taping the room and did take the official first-stroke, slathering green paint all over one of the walls!

I was also sure to document the process...

Just before the fun began... Spring Has Sprung is the name of the color we chose and just so happens that not only is the color of the paint the most pleasing of greens, it is also one of the newest Enviro-Clean paints on the market... double the green, double the fun! It pays to have those home-builder connections, I tell you what! Thanks Kelly Moore!
Once Justin was finished he cleaned everything up and wouldn't let me come upstairs until he put the crib back in its place. Side note: Justin and I put this guy together in 16 minutes... that has to be a record!

Many thanks to the Coxes for purchasing this beautiful piece of furniture for Caden!
Another view of the green... we're still a bit empty, but we're getting there...we'll be sure to keep y'all posted on our progress!
Spring Has Sprung... don't I remind you of a fresh spring day? Ha! :) Remember it was "Stay Indoors Saturday," certainly no need for makeup, or a hair brush for that matter!
Here's the man of the day!! Supportin' his bears even while painting! 
Post-tape, pre-paint... that is Caden's changing table in the hallway. Both Josh and I were changed on this table... a few little touch-ups and it will be ready for Caden too!

My Little Squirmy Worm

I have new pictures of my little squirmy worm...so if you must, skip down and adore my beautiful little boy, but promise to come back up and read the post...it is a good one!

Justin and I had a follow-up ultrasound last week to check up on Caden's brain. For those of you who didn't know, Dr. Fernandez told me at my last appointment that Caden needed some follow-up testing with a specialist to investigate a cyst they saw in his brain. Dr. Fernandez, in his truest form, eased my fears by telling me that this is a very common occurance, in fact, 25% of NORMAL pregnancies involve this type of cyst. Not exactly what you want to hear when you go to the doctor... you are hoping for..."You're son is perfect in every way."

Perfect is such a strong word though, isn't it? We all strive after it, but within ourselves perfection can never be found. So taking this imperfection in stride, Justin and I immediately sought counsel from the only one who has ever achieved perfection and we leaned on His promises knowing that He is a God who is faithful.

Oddly enough this pregnancy has taught me more about faith than any other experience I've had to date. I had a pivotal moment in my faith-walk about five weeks ago sitting in church. Our pastor was teaching about sin and the consequences of sin. Before that moment it had never occurred to me that my worry and anxiety about pregnancy were sin. It was the one thing that was blocking me from pursuing a full relationship with God. I was consumed by what the world said about pregnancy, about my health, and what I should or should not be feeling as an expectant mother. I googled incessantly, I read blog after blog, message board after message board, finding ever horror story I could find. I was addicted to information and all the wrong kinds. So that day, I sat there and realized that this, my information addition, was just as bad as any other addition and it had to stop. Monday morning I signed on my computer and unsubscribed from EVERY pregnancy newsletter, promotional ad, listserv, etc. that I was on. I made an absolute commitment to avoid any pregnancy-related information. If my doctor didn't say it and it wasn't it my ONE pregnancy book then it wasn't worth knowing.

Today, I have been sober for over 5 weeks. I know this all might seem so silly when you read this... and maybe even a little bit crazy, but I praise God for it every day. Thank you for making me see what I wasn't seeing! Thank you for helping me stay sober!

Of course, God knew what He was doing and was preparing me for that next doctor's appointment when I would learn about Caden's cyst. I want you all to know that there were no Google searches, there was no research, there was nothing on my end! I immediately sought God's provision. I went straight to the word, claiming the only truth I knew! Justin and I prayed and believed specifically for Caden's cyst. And a few weeks later...

Caden's cyst is GONE! Disappeared! God is good!

I feel so blessed to have been able to go on this faith-journey with God. First, he showed me my sin and helped me take drastic steps to run away from it, and then He provided me with the perfect opportunity to practice the fullest faith I have ever known.

This blog entry doesn't come close to expressing the joy and peace I have found in Him, but I hope that it will provide an encouragement to those of you who like me, have struggled to let go of your worries and find peace in something MUCH bigger than any of one of them! It is not an easy journey, but it all starts with removing the things from your life that make you worry... what are you addicted to?

Here are just a FEW of the truths I have found to help me along my journey...

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have recieved it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which YOU CAN extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Ephesians 6:16 (I love this entire passage about the Full Armor of God Eph 6:10-20)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillippians 4:6-7

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." James 1:5-6

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick?He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and annoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up." James 3: 13-15

Thanks for letting me share these things with all of you... I only hope they bring someone else the same hope and peace!

AND NOW FOR THE GOOD STUFF...

Is he not the cutest little guy you've ever seen? Okay well he is to me! :) He was being such a squirmy worm during the ultrasound...he was actually hitting the ultrasound probe and the technician kept laughing because she felt him bopping her hand! Hehe... I was kind of proud, he was just protecting his momma!
Here is a great profile shot. He is looking less ape-ish don't you think? The doctor said he clearly has my nose... we'll just have to wait and see. Katie or Justin? Who will Caden look like? Only God knows!

Have a great weekend! We'll be hunkering down in Austin hoping that Ike brings rain but leaves those strong winds somewhere out in the water. Our thoughts and prayers are with those of you in his path.

Lab-or Day!

Don't you just LOVE looking ahead to a four-day work week? Happy Labor Day to everyone!

Justin and I have taken full advantage of our extra day of rest and relaxation and spent time doing all of our favorite things. Today was especially fun with our first trip to the Georgetown Bark Park. Maci and Max have been such exceptional puppies lately that we felt like it was time they had a a little furry fun. With Caden on the way we have had to slowly reintroduce both Maci and Max to "doghood." Up until now they have assumed they were humans, just like you and me. Although this has been a somewhat shocking surprise to the pups they are doing well adjusting to their new roles in the Cox household. They are now sleeping outside of their crates at night and on their pillows in the living room. This makes me VERY happy b/c anyone that comes crashing through a window or barreling through the front door will be met with quite a protective duo. They have also learned that when they come in the house they must retreat to their assigned pillows in the living room; these pillows courtesy of LL Bean have been a wonderful training tool as we Caden-ize our home.

From Left to Right:

Max: yellow lab, male, 95 pounds, 3.5 years old. We brought Max into our home 2.5 years ago from the Heart of Texas Lab Rescue Agency. On the street Max was known as "Louie," but now he is a beloved part of our home. Max loves to be social and is perhaps the biggest snuggler you'll ever meet. Close is never close enough for Max. He is known by neighbors and friends as "circle dog" because of his incessant love for turning circle after circle when excited. His tail even wags in a circle. Max is not the brains of the operation but he certainly is the heart...we love our big dumbie! :)

Maci: chocolate lab, female, 60 pounds, 5.5 years old. Justin brought Maci to Baylor his senior year of college as just a tiny puppy. She had a rough first few years of life, first surviving a household full of college boys and a doberman pinscher named Diesel and then surviving our year in the Waco ghetto. We couldn't even leave her in the backyard for fear of her being stolen...poor Mace. Now Mace is fully acclimated to her life in the suburbs. She is a bundle of independent energy. She does not need us or anyone else and she makes that VERY clear. She is a natural athlete and does the thinking for both her and Max. Maci has provided hours of laughter and entertainment for Justin and I. One day she'll be affectionate... we just know it! :) 
Now back to the Bark Park... Maci and Max were beyond excited when we entered the Bark Park today to find their favorite neighborhood friends Juanita and Lucy. Juanita and Lucy had already been at the park for an hour or so and were able to update me on all of the other pooches in the park. Maci of course, having nothing to do with anyone ran circles around the entire place, finding stray tennis balls and laying in the big mud puddle by the water fountain to cool off between laps. In true form, Max decided to hop from group to group socializing with all of the other pups, even sharing a few unfortunate encounters with some very frisky dogs who thought Max's good looks were too good to pass up...what a heart throb! Justin had to come to his rescue several times... dirty scoundrels! Hard to go anywhere when you look that good I suppose...

When we returned home from our hour or so at the Bark Park we found a new friend... a chocolate lab stray that we affectionately named Minnie the Mangey Pup. Since no vets or humane societies were open today we have fed and watered Minnie and kept her cool with fans in an old crate in our garage. Minnie isn't too clean so we weren't so keen on letting her roam the backyard with Maci and Maxi. We hope tomorrow we will be able to find her family through her rabies ID. If not, the Wilco Humane Society will be sure to take great care of Minnie.  

In other news... I decided it was time for another baby bump picture. I am starting my 6th month of pregnancy and I look like.... 
Sorry for the headless shot... I was looking a little too rough for the world wide web. 

Here's to a four-day work week! Have a good one!