Kristin McLendon

Kristin McLendon

Friday, July 29, 2011

That little heartbeat....

If you follow me on twitter or facebook you saw my status on Wednesday:

It was one year ago Wednesday that a little stick told us our lives would never be the same (for the better of course!)  But it was one year ago today that we heard a little heart beat and saw this for the first time (and confirming that we were 6 weeks, 5 days pregnant!):



So on this day I want you to know my son, Jude Robert, the first moment I heard your heartbeat I was overcome by love for you.  You are everything I could ever imagine and more.  As much joy as you brought us with that first little sound of your heartbeat, you have brought us tenfold since you've entered into this world.  You are perfect in every way and we are so in love with you our Little Hoot! :)

"For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and
wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; 
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of
the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, 
every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them."
Psalm 139:13-16, ESV

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posted by Kristin @ July 29, 2011 1 Comments

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Babymoon!

We were blessed with the incredible opportunity to get away for our 3rd Anniversary in which we entitled "Babymoon".  It was our last vacation with just the two of us.

Here are some pictures of that delightful time together!

This is where I found my hubby the first morning we were there--I love His passion for the Word.


First walk out on the beach.  Some think we're crazy for going to the beach in December--us--it was so quiet and peaceful--it was perfect!





December 15th-Our 3rd Anniversary Dinner.  Some may call me a seafood snob as I only eat seafood on the coast and not at chain restaurants....and this place was amazing!


Second walk on the beach, this time no shoes (and well no makeup)!







I like taking pictures of chairs....


Touring the "town":



Yes, we fulfilled my desire of finding hole in the wall bookstores:


Chairs again...I especially like them in pairs apparently:


I spent most of my time here:



Third and final walk on the beach--Robert wasn't feeling well, so Jesus and I went for a walk on the beach to watch the sunset together (and take lots of pictures):











Getting ready to leave.  So sad:


It was a beautiful few days together and we're so grateful for the blessing of being able to get away.  I could not think of a better way to spend our last vacation together as a family of two!

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posted by Kristin @ January 12, 2011 1 Comments

Friday, January 7, 2011

29 weeks....



Em-with the first week back in the real world, I am almost a whole week behind on getting this post up (we turn 30 weeks tomorrow!)  But for the sake of documenting our whole pregnancy, I'm going to post this anyway! :)

According to Baby Center:

Your baby is growing rapidly now. This week he weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is getting bigger to accommodate his growing brain – which is busy developing billions of neurons. Every day, about 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in your baby's skeleton, which is now hardening. With this rapid growth, it's no surprise that your baby's nutritional needs reach their peak during this trimester.


29 week highlights:
  • Cravings:  Still nothing specific.  Guess that's a good thing :)  Appetite feels like it's actually slowing down a little bit.
  • Belly Button:  Holding steady at 96.5% outie.
  • Sleep:  Slept better than the week before.  Probably helped that I had the week off and got to sleep in no matter what the actual night looked like.
  • Symptoms:  Nothing new-still feeling uncomfortable.  Can't sit or stand for long periods of time.
  • Movement:  As excited as I am to meet Little Hoot, I think I'm going to miss the amazement that I feel every time I see my stomach move.  I especially love when Robert and I can just sit there together and watch our little one move.  I guess we'll do that once Little Hoot is born too!
  • Other 29 week highlights:
    • A lot of friends got to see my prego self!  Enjoyed the time with every one.
    • Had a very restful week with lots of quality time with my husband.  We made each other the priority during the week and I made sure I was home by the time he got off of work.  Trying to soak in these last few weeks of being a family of two.
  • Best Moment of the Week:  Bringing in the New Year with so much anticipation for what's to come in 2011!!!!  (Although Robert and I went to bed around 11:30.  Guess we're already that old married couple!)

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posted by Kristin @ January 07, 2011 0 Comments

Monday, December 13, 2010

26 weeks...



According to Baby Center:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.


26 week highlights:

  • Cravings:  Still nothing specific--haven't even had mexican food since the weekend of Thanksgiving!  
  • Belly Button-The Robert report is 96% outie.  That last little part is just a holding out (or is it in?)
  • Sleep-have had a couple of great nights of sleep--don't know if I'm just really, really tired or things have shifted, but I've had a few nights where I've slept 7 hours.  Praise Jesus.  
  • Symptoms-energy level is starting to decrease--don't know if it's just a busy season and I just can't do what I use to be able to do--or I'm approaching the end of my 2nd trimester, regardless, I'm exhausted by the end of the night and just having to live with the reality that I just can't do everything.
  • Movement-Love my Little Hoot and this special time we have together.  Love, love, love watching him/her move--which we can now do thanks to kicks and punches being visible!
  • Other 26 week highlights:  
    • Had my very first gray hair.  Can I blame this on the pregnancy?
    • Little Hoot got to go to another wedding and be a part of a great evening of a very special couple.  I had the honor of praying for the couple after their first dance and as Robert prayed for me ahead of time he asked that Little Hoot would be directly affected by the prayers I prayed--asking the Lord for blessings over their marriage--oh, can you even imagine that Jesus already knows who Little Hoot will marry one day!!  
  • Best Moment of the Week:  (other than being a part of the wedding mentioned above)...Dreaming about Little Hoot and wondering if he/she will be a well a he or a she...have hair....dark hair or light....Oh, I just can't wait!  The house is all decorated for Christmas and we can't stop talking about Little Hoot being a part of our lives for Christmas 2011. So looking forward to creating many family memories and having our own McLendon traditions!
And....so excited to read in our "Your Pregnancy Week by Week book" by Dr. Glade Curtis....  "Time is passing quickly.  You are approaching the end of the second trimester.  Two-thirds of the pregnancy is behind you; it won't be long until your baby is born."

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posted by Kristin @ December 13, 2010 0 Comments

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

25 weeks...


And Maddie was feeling left out of the photo shoot!



(I wore this same shirt for our 15 week picture.  Think I've grown much?)


We are 25 weeks!  15 to go!!!

According to Baby Center, Little Hoot is:

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

25 week highlights:
  • Cravings-not much of anything specific, I just like to eat.
  • Belly Button-according to Robert-holding steady at 95% outie.  It's the top part that is sticking out and not the bottom--Robert says it looks like a buck tooth.  He's too kind.
  • Sleep-still much better thanks to the borrowed snoozer, but still having at least one night a week where I feel like I haven't slept at all.
  • Symptoms-Nothing new.  Swelling seems to have leveled out--maybe it's because the weather is in the 20's this week and I'm always COLD!!!  Still have the occasional nose bleeds and still can't wear earrings.  Did you know that?  I haven't been able to wear them since the very beginning.   If I had known this was a symptom, I would have known we were pregnant at 3 weeks (and you're not even technically pregnant for the first two!)
  • Movement-Little Hoot is getting more and more active and I'm loving every moment of it!  He/she especially loves the quiet moments in the morning while we hang out with Jesus together.  I'm praying that this carries on once Little Hoot is here!
  • Other 25 week highlights:  
    • Had our monthly appointment and got to hear Little Hoot's heartbeat.  Staying strong at 150.
    • McMom (aka GranNan) was able to come up for the appointment.  We loved spending quality time with her.
  • Best moment of the week:  Almost every night this week right before I fall asleep, it's as if Little Hoot wants to say good night and remind us he/she is in there.  So each night we fall asleep with my hand and Robert's hand saying good night to our little one.  I love these moments and want to cherish each one of them.

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posted by Kristin @ December 07, 2010 0 Comments

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

24 weeks...



We're 24 weeks (and a few days, but who's counting)!  I can not believe how fast this is flying by!!  Getting really, really excited about meeting Little Hoot.

Here's our Little Hoot according to Baby Center:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

And here are our highlights during the 24th week:
  • Cravings-nothing really significant.  Just cleaning my plate when I sit down to eat (which means Robert is actually losing weight during this pregnancy).  
  • Belly Button-Robert says I have a 95% outie (you'll have to talk to him to figure out how he did his calculations :)
  • Sleep-much better thanks to the snoozer!  Even slept 7 straight hours one night this past week!
  • Symptoms-a little swollen.  Mom bought me two new pairs of shoes while we were home for Thanksgiving which were much needed!
  • Movement-lots!  Little Hoot is moving much much more, which is really exciting!
  • Other 24 week highlights:
    • Little Hoot had it's first Thanksgiving--and it was in Richmond Hill.  Little Hoot LOVES my mama's cheese appetizer.  Man, I could go for some of that about right now!
    • We had one eventful night during our 24th week---going to post about that sometime after tomorrow.
    • Loved spending time in Savannah and taking Little Hoot to our favorite places!
    • Enjoyed time with family and friends
  • Best moment of the week:  Went shopping with my mom and sis and we bought our nursery bedding!  So excited to see Little Hoot in his/her new room (but will be patient and wait!)!  So grateful for my sister and brother-in-law that gave us this beautiful gift.
We go to the doctor tomorrow for our monthly appointment and McMom is coming up for the visit!  We'll let you know how that goes!  

**This is Day 30 of NaBloPoMo**

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posted by Kristin @ November 30, 2010 0 Comments

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Small Business Saturday

I stayed away from the Black Friday Sales---but took full advantage of Small Business Saturday.  How cool of a concept is that?  Mom, Sis, Aniston and I hit every baby boutique in Savannah.  So much fun!

We bought some necessary items for me and WE FINALLY FOUND OUR BEDDING!  I spent several hours online earlier on in our pregnancy before I finally just gave up.  I could not find anything gender neutral that I liked and decided I'd just wait till baby got here.

One of the stores we visited today was Just For Baby.  LOVE this store!  They gave me a full educational lesson on BumGenius cloth diapers.  I've done a lot of research on these, but it was GREAT to see them in person!  But most importantly, this is the store that we found our bedding.  I am just so excited about it.  I love it and it was at a great price thanks to Small Business Saturday.

It's blue and brown--which will be great for a boy---but when pink accents are added to it, it's just too cute! Brett & Jocelyn gifted it to us as our family Christmas present and I can't get over how blessed we are.

Thank you brother and sis for such a beautiful gift.  Thank you for investing into Little Hoot and blessing us beyond measure!

And....here's a sneak peek--it's a picture of the curtain (that came in our complete set).  I'll get more pictures soon because this doesn't represent how amazing it is!  There are sections to it that are striped, then sections that are polka dot, then sections that are patterned!


I love supporting small businesses!!!  Happy Small Business Saturday my friends!

**This is Day 27 of NaBloPoMo**

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posted by Kristin @ November 27, 2010 2 Comments

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thankful.

Tonight I can't help but be overwhelmed by the goodness of my Jesus.  Just thinking about where the Lord has taken us from this time last year to now is overwhelming.  We've seen the Lord answer our prayers in so many miraculous ways.

I'm thankful for so many things that the Lord has done in my life---from giving me a wonderful husband,  wonderful family and friends, a wonderful job and community to be a part of.....

And as I get ready to lay my head down to sleep, tonight I just want to reflect on the miracle that the Lord has allowed me to be a part of.....

6 weeks:


8 weeks:
 12 weeks:


20 weeks:

"All your children shall be taught by the Lord, 
and great shall be the peace of your children."
Isaiah 54:13

Good night my friends.  And Happy Thanksgiving!

**This is Day 25 of NaBloPoMo**

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posted by Kristin @ November 25, 2010 0 Comments

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

23 weeks...


Here we are at 23 weeks.  Actually we've been here for a few days now--just a little slow getting this post up this week.  My apologies!

Here's what Baby Center has to say this week:

  Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

And our 23 week highlights:
  • Cravings--really anything salty but nothing that I just have to have.
  • Belly Button-top part is out making it look like I have an outie--but hubs said it's not a real outie yet!
  • Sleep--loving the borrowed snoozer pillow.  Had a couple of nights where I actually got a good night's rest!
  • Symptoms--nose bleeds here and there.  I think thats normal?  And SWOLLEN fingers!  Had to officially get a pregnancy wedding band to hold me over for a few months!  
  • Movement--Little Hoot loves to move each morning around the same time.  Such a comfort!  I am so in love with this little one!
  • Little Hoot got to travel to Perry and spend the day with his/her McGrandparents.  Little Hoot got to be a part of Amanda and Kyle's wedding celebration!
  • Best moment of the week:  Hubs looking at me and saying, "I'm really ready for our baby to be here."  Yes I melted in that moment! :)  Oh, and second best moment:  Robert decided to lay his head on my stomach and say hello to Little Hoot---and Little Hoot thumped him right in the temple.  It was quite a hilarious moment! 
**This is Day 24 of NaBloPoMo**

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posted by Kristin @ November 24, 2010 1 Comments

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

22 weeks...


I'm starting to feel large these days!!!

Here are our 22 week highlights:

According to Baby Center:
At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

I love reading these highlights as it gives me insight into how to pray specifically each week for our little hoot.  For example--upon reading this update where it tells me that it's tooth buds are developing I am praying specifically for this.  I had HORRIBLE teeth (think an average set of teeth for a small mouth--I had almost all my baby teeth pulled, had 4 permanent teeth pulled just so I could have room for the teeth I have now, had 4 wisdom teeth removed that were sideways and impacted.  Braces--not once, but twice plus headgear plus a little surgery to remove the piece of skin that connects the lip to the gums--and I'm sure there's a technical word for that little piece of skin.  End result:  A beautiful set of teeth that I thank my parents for investing in!)

All that to say--I'm praying for Little Hoot's tooth buds that are forming RIGHT NOW!  Just because I had horrible teeth does not mean I have to accept Little Hoot will.  The Word says you have not because you ask not--so I'm asking!

Here are my 22 week highlights:
  • Cravings:  Still mexican food--but I only had it once during week 22!
  • Belly Button:  Pretty much surface level, but Robert says not quite an outie (is that the correct word/spelling?)  I can make it stick out--especially if I laugh and if you know my husband--I do that often.
  • Sleep:  Officially became rough for me during this week.  I was waking up often and not able to fall back asleep.  My back also started killing me during the night which made it even more difficult to get comfortable for a good nights rest.
  • Symptoms:  Sore back and taking tums nightly now.
  • Movement:  If you haven't read this blog yet...you need to stop right now and do so!  We had the most incredible experience with Little Hoot on Sunday (which technically was 23 weeks and 2 days pregnant...but it was too good not to go ahead and share!)
  • Little Hoot got to spend a day in Savannah with his/her cousin, aunt and uncle, and grandparents--- and have a family photo shoot.  He/she all in one day got to enjoy homemade pumpkin pancakes, homemade bbq and brunswick stew along with homemade pumpkin cake. YUM-O!
  • Best moment of the week:  Seeing family and friends (click here and here for those updates and then experiencing Sunday with our Little Hoot.

One last picture for you on this 22 week update....my dear friend Katie let me borrow her maternity sleeper pillow due to my back pain and trouble sleeping.  Her husbands advice to me was, "Let Robert put on the pillow case because it is a pain."  (Not to mention this pillow is taller than me!)  So Robert did the job and I wish I had this on video, but instead it's just a picture....but insert "Pillow-you will not win" being said over and over again.


That's all for our 22 week highlights!  We're getting so so excited and loving this season the Lord has us in!

And did you know...there's a ONE DAY SALE going on at our etsy shop.  It's for Wednesday, November 17th--but we started it just a few hours early--so it's going on NOW.  It will end Thursday, November 18th at midnight.  ALL items are 10% off and the price listed represents the savings.  I like randomness....don't you? :)

**This is Day 16 of NaBloPoMo**

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posted by Kristin @ November 16, 2010 1 Comments

Sunday, November 14, 2010

The most incredible feeling

As you know I haven't been feeling that much movement from Little Hoot.  For awhile I was starting to get anxious about this, but then realized from the moment we found out we were pregnant we have daily asked the Lord for a sweet, calm natured baby that sleeps well.  So I stopped freaking out that I wasn't feeling Little Hoot.  I realized that Jesus is already answering our prayers.  Little Hoot was even sleeping through out all of our 20 week ultrasound.  So sweet already.


Then came time for me to teach on Acts and the Holy Spirit for the month of October.  Oh how I loved diving into the Word as it was a great season for me to reflect on what it is that I actually believe and formulate it into words.  The whole time I kept dwelling on the fact that the Word says the Holy Spirit dwells in me--so if the Holy Spirit dwells in me, that means the Holy Spirit dwells in my womb...which means Little Hoot is hanging out in the presence of the Lord.  Oh, how I've loved meditating on that and asking for increase of the Lord.  Oh that Little Hoot would recognize His presence the moment he/she is outside of the womb because he/she has been in that dwelling place with Him.


Then today happened.  We were at worship at RiverStone and I just started feeling Little Hoot like crazy.  So much so, Robert was able to place his hand on my stomach and feel Little Hoot (which was a first!)  Little Hoot LOVED worship and was responding.  It was the most incredible thing I have ever experienced.  Worship today was so sweet and the fact that our little one responded and it was the first time we have REALLY felt he/she move, oh it was the most incredible feeling.


To sum up worship today, I'd like to share an email that Robert sent his mentor today.  I can't get him to blog--but I can copy his emails--with his permission of course.


So, in the words of Robert, "I know that you and First Love have really intensified in your compassion and heart for the church recently. Since then, our Pastor has scaled worship down to a very intimate level, and today was totally a worship service. All 1000 of us broke into groups, prayed for each other, we corporately took communion, and everyone was anointed with oil. This morning was one of the sweetest moments I have ever had in the presence of the Lord in a church service. Isaiah saw the train of the Lord's robe fill the temple, and his eyes saw the glory of the Lord. The woman with the issue of blood merely touched the hem of Jesus's garment, and was completely restored. I believe the Lord is beginning to pour out His spirit on a large scale because of the prayers, humility, and faith of the workers who are striving for a glimpse of the glory of God."


Little Hoot--we are so in love with you and so is your Beloved Jesus.  We loved worshipping Him with you today!!!!  We can't wait to actually meet you!!!




**This is Day 14 of NaBloPoMo**

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posted by Kristin @ November 14, 2010 1 Comments

Monday, November 8, 2010

21 weeks...


According to Baby Center:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a poundand is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now.

21 week highlights:
  • Little Hoot got to go to 2 weddings in 1 day
  • Got to tour daddy's old stomping grounds of Vidalia and see the house he spent his childhood in
  • Cravings--still mexican food--had it 3 times during week 21!
  • Belly Button--still in, but coming very close to surfacing--especially if I laugh
  • Sleep--getting up about 2 times a night
  • Symptoms-still chewing on some tums!
  • Movement--felt more flutters towards the end of the week.  Pretty sure I felt more than just flutters today as we had a 4 hour drive.  As I felt like I was getting thumped from the inside, the hubs said..."just think, you have a baby in your belly, just like we're in this car."  Nice.
  • Best moment of the week--getting to see Little Hoot on the ultrasound and finding out everything is going great!
**This is Day 8 of NaBloPoMo**

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posted by Kristin @ November 08, 2010 0 Comments

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Latest Photo Shoot

As promised...here are Little Hoot's latest photo's!  We were 20 weeks and 4 days when these were taken!


Little Hoot had his/her legs straight over its head!

 We've been praying for a sweet, sleeps well, calm natured baby....

Little Hoot slept through this whole photo shoot....
 (sorry a little crooked)

God is answering our prayers!

And mom came up for the appointment...and brought Maddie her first birthday present...a new bed!


And well we had to go shopping.  I took her for her first visit to Charming Charlie's :)


Some other doctor appointment highlights....Little Hoot is measuring "normal"  guess that means he/she is an average of Robert and I :).  Heart rate was back to a girl according to the old wives tale.  And all of our tests that we opted to have blood drawn for last visit came back negative.  Huge Praise!

**This is Day 4 of NaBloPoMo**

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posted by Kristin @ November 04, 2010 1 Comments