Ready

Over the past few weeks I have been really freaked out about giving birth and caring for a newborn.. I would lay awake at night just wondering how I was going to react and deal with the unknowns of labor and all the changes when we brought baby home. One evening I was in the nursery trying to put the snap n go stroller together and I just couldn't figure it out. I was getting really frustrated and Jess could tell I was struggling, so he came in to see how he could help. I immediately started crying and stating that I couldn't do anything by myself like putting the stroller together, so how was I going to take care of a baby. I told Jess I didn't think I could be a mom and Jess politely told me I didn't have a choice. I then proceeded to go to our bedroom and lay on the bed and just sobbed until I was able to regain composure and go back in the nursery and Jess helped me finish the stroller.

Since that night I have prayed that the Lord would prepare me for the task of being a mom and giving me peace about giving birth and giving me the flexibility to deal with all the unknowns of the birthing process. I really have such a deep desire to be a "good" mom that I am terrified to make a mistake. I know making mistakes is reality, but it still freaks me out. haha!

With all this said the Lord has been preparing my heart the last week or so and I can truly say I am ready for Canon to make his debut. I really have a peace about everything and feel pretty relaxed.I have been reading a lot the last couple of weeks and feel like I kind of know what is going on and I have been a sponge asking all of my "mommy" friends lots and lots of questions over the last few months and it is all starting to make sense and come together. I get excited more and more everyday and can't wait to be a mommy! The most important thing Jess and I can do is show Christ's love, love one another, do lots of praying, and do our best!

We covet your prayers through this whole birthing process and becoming parents.

Love,

Rachel

Preparing for Canon

Jess putting the stroller together. I think he is starting to get tired of putting baby "stuff" together, but he never complains. He is such a good daddy already!

Bama Clothes. Jess is so proud!

35 weeks

36 Weeks. I look a little tired...

Love,

Rachel

Ready for Canon's Arrival

Jess and I have completed the nursery and we are pretty pleased with it. All we need is Canon John to make his debut.

This is the view is when you walk into the room.

Nursing Area

His book shelf full of Jess's books. We are confident that Canon will just start reading all the finance and seminary books once he can read.

His laundry basket

An awesome painting that my parent's neighbor painted for Canon's room. I love it!

The bassinet. It is so gorgeous. My sister is letting us borrow it and my mom, sister, grandmother, and my sister's mother in law got me the bedding for a gift. I love it!

A cute frame I got from LifeWay (throwing an advertisement out there for my father in law) and the Willow Trees from my mom.

Both of our grandfathers were in the air force. In the picture is a photo of Jess's grandfather and the frame on the right is his flight plan on D Day. I am going to put a picture of my granddad up there too all decked out in his pilot gear.

Next time I post pictures of the room will be when Canon his in his room.

Love,

Rachel

Laurie's Shower

I had the privilege of throwing one of my closest friends (Laurie) here at seminary a baby shower. Miss Faith Renee is due November 20th. It has been fun to go through our pregnancies together as we are experiencing this huge life change together. Our husbands also have a good time making fun of us when we are all together as we are getting bigger and bigger and the more we eat. :) I can't wait for our little ones to play together.

Here are a few pictures of the shower.

These are the favors with M&Ms inside of them.

Diaper Cake

Yummy Food

The theme of the nursery is pink and chocolate elephants

Hope you had a good time Laurie!

Love,

Rachel

Showering Canon John

Here are the pictures of the showers I promised I would post. These first pictures are from the shower at my home town church.

Logan Street Baptist Church Shower

The lovely hostesses

My sister, mom, and my niece

Little Miss Emma Grace

Friends/Family Shower

My 2 dearest friends from back home and that were in my wedding threw me a baby shower with the help of their family. It was just perfect and I had such a great time catching up with all of my old/dearest friends.

Katie and Brook

My sister, Sarah

Diaper Cake that Katie created!!

My mom

The whole gang, minus a few ppl that were taking pictures. Thanks girls for such an amazing shower and for spoiling me!

Love,

Rachel

Update of the Rainer's

36 Weeks

Today I am officially 36 weeks, only 4 weeks away. I am very excited to meet baby Canon, but also have some anxieties about giving birth and how to

care for him once we come home. This past week I have been much more emotional about having a baby. I guess the pregnancy is coming to an end and it is all becoming so real. I am feeling pretty good. I am starting to move slower these days, but still have pretty good energy. My body feels really weird some days, but I asked the d

octor about all my weird feelings today and she said everything was "normal". I did have an appointment today and we saw one of our favorite doctors today , Dr. Mohr. She is quirky, but gets excited for us when we all listen to the heartbeat. She is the doctor that lets us listen to Canon's sweet heartbeat the longest and gives us lo

ts of good information that is helpful. She gave Canon and I a good report. Dr. Mohr predicts that Canon will be around 7 1/2 pounds if I go full term. She wasn't sure if he was head down, so she did a quick ultrasound to make sure, and sure enough he was. So, we just wait and we are on Canon's timing.

Maternity

Pictures

We had the privilege of having one of our good friends April Chancler (www.aprilevephotography.com) take our pictures this past Sunday. Brandon and April go to our church and Brandon is also in seminary. Their daughter Eden was in our Sunday School class, so we got to know them through having their daughter in class. They also have a sweet baby boy, Salem.

We had such a great time taking pictures and

can't wait to see how they all turned out. We do have one picture to share. Thanks April for taking our pictures!

Zoo Trip

Jess and I took a trip to the zoo 2 Sundays ago. I had been wanting to go to the zoo all summer, but we never really had a chance until a few Sundays ago. We had a great time just spending time together doing something we hadn't done since we have lived in North Carolina. I thought I would have a really hard time walking and staying in the heat, but I think I did pretty well. The elephant exhibit was cool and we got see him bath himself for quite a while and the sea lion show is always a highlight for me.

Other highlights...

Since I have stopped working I have had more time to do things around the house, help Jess out in ways I couldn't when I was working, work on Canon's room, plan a baby shower, and have lunch with Godly women here from seminary.

I am really enjoying my time at home and feel productive most days. I really love serving and helping Jess make his life a little easier since he is so busy with school and full time work. I enjoy being able to give Jess attention when he gets home from work since I have had time to get all my work done throughout the day.

Thom and Nellie Jo (Jess's parents) came to visit this past weekend for a short visit. We had a great time visiting with them. Jess was excited he was able to watch a Bama game with his dad. His parents also brought the rest of the shower gifts down for us that I couldn't bring home on the plane. I was a little overwhelmed with having to put it all up, but it is finished. We also put together Canon's stroller and read up on all the directions for his car seat. I will post pictures later.

I also gave one of my closest friends (Laurie) here at seminary a baby shower. It really turned out great, it was a success. I will post these pictures later as well.

This post is getting really long, so I will post more later. Thanks for reading!

Love,

Rachel

Wake Forest Shower

I had such a great time hanging out with all my Wake Forest friends! I am so blessed to have wonderful friends.

Here is my sweet sailboat cake.

Amazing food!

Playing the Diaper Game.

Seeing how big I am with streamer paper. Good job Sarah!

One of the lovely hostesses - Jill! Thanks Jill for all your hard work!

The other lovely hostess - Laurie

Thanks everyone for such a wonderful shower!!

Love,

Rachel

Scroll down, there are a few more posts.... (I will post about my other showers soon!)

Updated Nursery Pictures

This is my little computer nook. Its nice and cozy... Still need to get rid of the filing cabinet.

Nursing area, still need to do a few things to this part of the room.

Crib

It is coming together, still needs a few finishing touches. My in-laws are bringing some items down in a few weeks I couldn't fly back with. If he were to come today, we would be okay though!

Love,

Rachel