Precious Baby Girl

Many of you know by now that we are expecting our third daughter this Fall. October 31st is my due date and I am 22 weeks today. I feel awful that I have not blogged about her before now, but it's definitely not because we are not excited. We are completely over the moon and full of joy & gratefulness! 

Most of you know what we've been through this past year, but I have to say that from the very beginning, everything with this pregnancy has been different. Even though we did not share our news immediately, I knew that it was completely God's timing and that everything was going to be okay. I was truly "Believing God" and had a sense of calm and peacefulness that I did not have with the two previous pregnancies. The few times that I allowed satan to creep in with doubt, I prayed Psalm 112:7 over and over again. It has become my favorite verse and says, "They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord." 

When we finally shared our news, it was Mother's Day and I was 15 weeks and 2 days along. We told our family and a few friends and I thought they would want to kill me. Everyone was so happy though and completely understood.  It was nice finally being able to share our excitement and even better that I no longer had to suck in my stomach...it was getting really hard and even Ashton was starting to ask questions. We had shared the news with Kaylyn on Easter, but didn't want Ashton to tell our secret. It was really cute because she had been to every single ultrasound (and I've had lots), but we would tell her that mommy had chicken nuggets or goldfish in her tummy. When we finally told her, it took a few days for her to realize that there really was a baby and not just goldfish. 

A few weeks after most people found out, it was time to find out what we were having...boy or girl??? Trey and I originally said we weren't going to find out, but the closer we got to our appointment, I just had to know! Luckily Trey was okay with it. On May 30th, we found out that we were going to have another precious baby girl and let me tell you, the thought of three girls absolutely melted my heart! There was definitely no disappointment here and the fact that I knew she would be named after my Granny, Mary Lou who absolutely meant the world to me was the icing on the cake (even before we knew she was a girl, I would get teary eyed at the thought of being able to name a daughter after my Granny).

Delaney Lou Dirks, you have already stolen our hearts! You were wanted and prayed for by so many people, but probably none more than your mommy. These last few months have been so special and I thank God every night for allowing me to carry you. Feeling your flutters and now kicks are so amazing and a great reminder of what has been knit together inside of me. Hearing people talk about you, call you by your name, your daddy rubbing my tummy, Kaylyn being excited and even Ashton giving you "kisses" makes my heart so happy. I cannot wait to see your sweet face for the very first time and for you to meet the best daddy and two big sisters in the world! You are already so loved. 

Sweet Delaney

April 16, 2014 - 11 Weeks 5 Days

May 5, 2014 - 14 Weeks 3 Days
Look at those legs...

My sweet friend Sarah made these for us so that we could give them to our parents on Mother's Day when we told them.

May 15, 2014 - 15 Weeks 6 Days
Trey and I were in Kiawah Island, SC for one of his business trips.

May 30, 2014 - 18 Weeks

She may kill me for this one day, but, "It's A Girl!"

Those legs again...

And look at these sweet hands!

6/13/14 - 20 Weeks

Me & Granny - Mary Lou Richter

The one Delaney is named after and the BEST there ever will be.

Even though she is not here to see what I've become, to meet my husband or to see my daughters (they would be so spoiled), I know she is in heaven watching down on us. I miss her every single day and I can only pray that I've made her proud! My Granny's memory will always carry on through Delaney Lou and I cherish that more than anything.

Fun in St. Pete!

I'm getting closer to being caught up...hang in there...

Two weeks ago, the girls and I headed to St. Pete with Trey. He had to work, but we were able to have lots of fun.

Ikea and Pottery Barn Kids were our first stops, but on day two we went to one of the girls favorite places, Airheads. It's an inside trampoline park and they both love it! Rumor is that we are getting one in Tallahassee, but I guess we will have to wait and see. It will be called Sky Zone. 

There were a ton of kids there the day we went, but you will notice some netting in the pictures. The staff is able to block off a certain portion that is just for smaller jumpers...and their YaYa's :)

 

  

Wednesday included a trip to spend the day at the Don CeSar. Trey's good friend works there and graciously got the girls and I in for the day. The pool was great and the staff was amazing! I definitely want to go back and stay there some day. We had so much fun!

The girls even got to participate in a scavenger hunt and won. The prize was ice cream and they were really excited.

Once Trey got off of work on Wednesday, we headed to one of my favorite places to eat, Moon Under Water. It was a perfect afternoon to sit outside and enjoy a good meal. 

While we were eating, the horse carriage arrived. We told the girls that once we were finished, we would go for a ride. Wouldn't you know, as soon as we were leaving another couple got in the carriage. The girls were so disappointed that we drove around until we found them headed back to the spot where you get on. We parked the car and ran to take a turn. The girls had never been on a carriage ride, so they were really excited and had a wonderful time!

Our last day to do stuff before heading home included a trip to the Great Explorations Children's Museum. My friend Lindsay gave us passes and we really enjoyed it.

There was a cow that the girls got to "milk". Ashton really enjoyed it and I think ended up playing in the "milk" (it was only water) before we left. Silly girl!

The "Sand"...which is my idea of the perfect sand. It's rubber.

Publix Shopping Center

Kaylyn had fun working in the bakery and serving customers.

Ashton had a blast being a cashier.

The Vet

Kaylyn loves animals, but Ashton, not so much.

Stuffed is okay though...

Kaylyn measuring her dog.

  

St. Pete Fire & Rescue

The cutest news anchor ever!

Sweet girl and her hula hoop!

Upstairs they had more awesome things to do and play with. One of the favorites was the Baby Nursery.

Kaylyn is so good with babies and I cannot wait for her to be a big sister again.

Ashton loved checking out the babies too. She had to make sure they were healthy.

How tall are you???

(Notice Ashton still holding her baby. She is going to be such a sweet big sister. It makes my heart so happy just thinking about it.)

Downstairs was another really cool attraction called the Touch Tunnel. It was a dark tunnel that you crawled through using only your hands to guide you to the end. Ashton went with Kaylyn the first time only because Kaylyn agreed to use a light from a phone, but wouldn't go back in a second time for anything in the world. Kaylyn on the other hand loved it and continued to go through until they closed the doors (they only open it for 30 minutes at different times throughout the day).

Waiting in line Ashton was excited. I don't think she knew exactly what she was getting into though...

Kaylyn's last time.

While we were down this time, we also got to meet up with our good friends Casey and Stacy for dinner one night and our other friends Andrew and Lindsay and sweet baby Max a different night. Even though Trey had to work, the girls and I enjoyed going on this trip so much. St. Pete and our friends who are there make it one of our favorite places!