Midnight..

Well folks, it's 12:05am where I'm at (South Carolina, US), and yes, I'm still wide awake. My fiance has to be in to work at 2am.. so instead of going to bed, I opted to stay up to make sure he was up and ready to go in time. He didn't make it home this evening til about 7pm. So needless to say, he's not getting much sleep tonight.

It had me thinking, that Kinslee and I are so lucky to have such a wonderful man in our lives. I couldn't ask for a better provider for myself and our child. He works his tail off to make sure we have everything we need, and most of what we want. For those of you who are wondering, Mike is self-employed as a sub-contractor. He installs kitchen and bathroom cabinets and laminate counter tops for SC's largest and most popular cabinet/counter top company.

His only co-worker is the contractor for which he works, who also happens to be one of his best friends. The two of them are like peas in a pod. They work so well together, and his partner's wife is a stay at home housewife/mommy, like myself. We are very lucky to have "found" them, as they are such good friends and Mike wouldn't want to work side by side day in and day out, doing this kind of manual labor, with anyone else. I also have to say, I am very fortunate for the two of them, besides job security, as they have passed on several things to Kinslee that their babies have outgrown, such as a boppy, travel swing, bouncy seat, and over 5 boxes of very cute and like-new baby girl clothes, socks, shoes, bibs, etc. What good friends we have! =)

Aside from these two, I have also been blessed with other wonderful friends that have been supporting Mike and myself in our journey to becoming parents. My best friend has given me several things, and still continues to give me things as her baby outgrows them, as well as buy things for Kinslee out of the kindness of her heart. Not to mention, all my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Three of my cousins on my mother's side are hosting my baby shower in late June. Speaking of which, I went today to Target and Wal-Mart to register for gifts for my shower for Kinslee. I don't expect to get everything on my list - there was a lot we still needed that I hadn't realized before! However, I am mostly just looking forward to celebrating and having 'girl time' with all my lady friends and family at the shower! Can't wait! Although, Mike will have to bring the truck and come pick up all the gifts, after words!

My stress level has been a little too high, and so has my blood pressure (as I mentioned in one of my recent posts). I won't go into the details of WHY I'm stressed out, but just know that I am doing everything in my power to make things better, and to stay healthy and sane for my daughter. I cannot wait to meet her, and give her my heart. Really, she already has it. It's like I said in my pregnancy journal/organizer about a month ago... "I haven't felt my baby kick yet, but she or he sure has pulled on my heartstrings". Now, we know that it's a GIRL, and yes, she has started to move more. I haven't felt a kick per say, but I have had the feeling of a fish swimming in my stomach, and little 'bumps' here and there (along with pain in my back, ribs, and bloating - but I hear that is all pretty normal!).

In closing, I'd like to thank those who are following this blog, and supporting me in my pregnancy!  Like I mentioned in my last post, I am hoping to hold a contest here soon to gain more followers, promote the blog, and promote some other businesses/crafters as well. I think I have decided that the prizes will be crafts and/or artwork from a few of my friends. My cousin's wife (one of my best friends) has agreed to donate a painting to the contest, valued at $80. Wow! She sure must love me :) Not to mention, she could use the promotion and advertisement herself. I plan to try and get some business cards made up for her here soon. If anyone is interested in seeing some of her work (her page is still under construction and only a small portion of her work is posted at the moment), check out her page HERE!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, guys, and good night to all. <3