Four months and counting...

     At this point in time I am 17 weeks along and feeling like the moment of meeting the babies is getting closer. Every day I become overwhelmed with joy and have never felt so close to God in the sense of knowing he has every second of our lives mapped out and is in complete control. We think we know what we want and when we want it to happen, but His timing is perfect. Every time I start to worry they'll come early or something I just remind myself of that fact.
     Since my last post we have had a few ultrasounds, all of which show the babies are growing perfectly. At 12 weeks they do a slew of blood work and things to screen from some 40 or so diseases. All results came back negative. Baby A apparently is wishing he or she had more space because it loves to kick Baby B. A little sibling rivalry already! They are both so precious and I still cannot believe there are two in there. I have a feeling A is a boy because it has a wild streak, always jumping around and doing flips, and that B is a calm and serene little girl. Good thing is we don't have to guess what they are after next week! I felt the babies move early on(which they say is common for twins), but it was the fluttery feeling and was very hit or miss. Probably within the last few weeks the feelings have been more frequent and I have begun to feel actual kicks now. I had an ultrasound done at work one night because the kicks were so frequent and sure enough Baby A is trying to kick it's way out already, it's no wonder why I was feeling them so much!
    All the preparations have begun to be made for their arrival. I know it seems early, but unfortunately, I will be so large soon it will be hard to get things accomplished so I figure I should do things while I can. Their room has been painted and their Daddy and Poppie have put in some beautiful new floors. So excited for the finished project! I have a feeling after next week it will be non-stop preparation, but at least it will make the time go by quicker! Below are a few of the recent pictures from the last few weeks...

11 Weeks

On a date night with Daddy

13 Weeks

13 Weeks 

Baby A profile at 13 Weeks

Baby B profile 13 Weeks

15 Weeks

17 Weeks

                            


  

Baby Solberg x 2!!!

      So this long awaited moment has arrived...We are pregnant, and when I say pregnant I mean very pregnant...it's TWINS!!! I am still in such disbelief, but we are so ready for them to be here already. I feel so beyond blessed that every time I think about them, it brings tears to my eyes. " From the fullness of his grace we have received one blessing after another." John 1:16. I cannot tell you how much that rings true to me right now. We have waited for some time now for these little ones to be on the way, but God's timing is perfect and through every disappointment I knew he would bless us as soon as it was time. From having my back surgery and then moving from the ER to Neonatal ICU at work, God has prepared my body and spirit for such a time as this. 

     We found out on December 16, 2010 that we were expecting and oh how the tears flowed!!! Jeremiah was ecstatic and so were the grandparents to be! In fact, my mother nearly quit breathing, wishing now I captured that on video :) Lauren was in Spain at the time and I wanted to call her so bad, but held out until she came home on the 23rd. We made a big sign that said "Welcome home Aunt Lauren" and she was a little shocked to say the least. It was the perfect Christmas present.  

    So our first appointment was scheduled for January 4 and from the second I found out I was pregnant I was sure it was twins, just a feeling I suppose. Sure enough, the ultrasound showed two amazing little heartbeats. I don't think I've seen anything more beautiful in all of my life. Wow, not just one, but two! Can we say Double portion??? :)This is their first official picture, of course to get both in the same picture you can't see all of their bodies and twin B is higher than than A, so he/she is always shadowed in the ultrasound. 

    We were told to come back the next week to check their progress, they were much bigger and we could hear their heartbeats beautifully. Baby B is still hiding behind A, but they can see them perfectly when looking individually(you can see A's head and B's body profile here). 

 

    Well, as you can imagine we have lots of things to start thinking about, especially buying stock in diapers!!! We appreciate all the prayers we've received thus far and ask for you to continue praying that our little angels grow and grow until they are safe to join us in this world. Oh the tears again! I just can't wait to see their beautiful little faces and have them meet all their family and friends that love them already!      

October...can't believe you're here already!!!

    I LOVE October...not only does the first day of the month happen to be my birthday:), but October means fall, which means the holidays are soon approaching! It's my absolute favorite time of year; I love the weather, the family get togethers, buying gifts, etc...which ultimately leads to the day I get to celebrate the birth of my wonderful Savior. That's all to come, but I'll talk about the past few days for the time being.

        This year was the big 2-6! I know it's not considered old, but I'm past 25, which means thirty is around the corner. I do have to say that this year was easier than last year. I think mostly because I feel like all the parts of my life are in a good place. Not that things weren't good before, but as God continues to mold and shape me constantly into a different person, I just have more peace. It's amazing how he does that too, he always has you on the potter's wheel, always creating this new, beautiful piece of art. Each time, it looks amazing because he designed it, but you notice something you may have not seen before: a new strength, a new notch from a life circumstance, a new crack that needs repair.

      We just had a Night of Worship at Citylife Church and one of my favorite parts of a song we sang is "You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of the dust, you make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of us." This is something I know, but so often and so easily we forget who created us the way we are. I said all of that to say, this was a fabulous birthday because my heart is just so happy, I thank God daily for my family and friends, who made this such a memorable Ashley extravaganza :)Now time for some birthday details...

   Lauren came home from UCF for a few days to help celebrate. I'm so happy she loves school, but I miss seeing my sis face to face, so I was so excited when I found out she was able to come home! We started the birthday events with lunch at The Lime, just us girls of the family. Ate way too many chips and queso, but hey, you can ignore calories for birthday meals right? My sister made me wear the following attire, because she knows how much I hate attention. At least it was cute pink jewelry!

     Later that night we went to the Columbia Restaurant for some Spanish food and Flamenco dancing. Watching, not participating of course, that wouldn't have been pretty, they were amazing! I think I could have beaten them at the Robot though, I'd like to see them try that in their ruffly dresses :)There was their classic bread, ropa vieja, a cuban sandwich with platanos, and all kinds of goodies on the table. Flan and churros for dessert, WITH dipping sauces to add a few more calories just incase we missed some.   

     So Jeremiah tells me on Friday night I need to be ready at 9 the next morning to go somewhere but no details as to where. I respond by telling him,"You know I'm a girl and need to know what to wear, so where am I going?" He knows I don't do well with surprises, and despite the begging, he wouldn't budge. I went for dressy casual and hoped I wasn't going to  the beach or rock climbing. It's getting close to 9 and he's still in bed so I'm assuming my friends are up to something.
    The door bell rings and Nicole is at the door, I knew it!!! We drive around aimlessly in the city I've grown up in, but because we made a thousand turns, no idea where we're at/going. Somehow we ended up in Ybor and we arrive at La Creperia...never knew this place existed but so glad it does, because I love crepes! We walk in the door and too my surprise lots of my girlfriends are there. The tears started coming because it was so sweet that they gave up a Saturday morning to have a birthday breakfast for me. Love them so much! As usual when you get a bunch of girls together mixed with highly caffeinated lattes it gets loud and crazy. Not to mention the conversations are off the wall and heaven forbid if a guy walked by and listened in :) Needless to say, it was such a surprise and blessing to spend the morning with them, they all have a special place in my heart.

All the girls!!

Crepe with nutella, bananas and strawberries

My sis, Lauren, and sis-in-law, Nahal.

Me and Brit

Stacy and Gyn

Being silly!!!

Some of the most fabulous girls I know!!

Kaci and Beffers

     Jeremiah and I celebrated at a place that takes us WAY back when to homecomings and Valentine's Days...Melting Pot. I love cheese and chocolate and he loves meat/seafood, so we compliment each other well there. Love the times when just the two of us get to do something special amidst the hustle and bustle , they hold such priceless memories. He is such a wonderful husband and never seizes to amaze me or make me laugh! Of course we took a few pics...

It goes without saying that without people in your life to celebrate with, it wouldn't be much of a party. I thank God daily for his love, but also the abundant love of my family and friends. My life is more cheerful because of them all. Thank you.

As summer comes to a close...

Wow, how summer flew by this year! We didn't do an extraordinary vacation, but spent a lot of time together as a couple, with our family and friends. Here are some of the highlights:
       In July, Jeremiah and I spent a few days in Miami to celebrate our sixth anniversary, oh how time flies. What a blessing to have my best friend at my side through all of the MANY journeys of life! Enjoyed time relaxing by the pool, strolling(shopping and eating also of course!) along Lincoln road, a nice Anniversary dinner at the Loews Hotel restaurant  and time at South Beach. Did I mention getting a tattoo??? I have wanted one for ages and finally did it! In Hebrew it's pronounced "Emunah," which is Faith in our terms essentially. In the Bible there were several meanings for faith, this one in particular is not just a believing faith but a trusting faith. It refers to Abraham and his willingness to obey the commands God placed on him that you and I would find crazy. But he trusted God and knew that nothing he told him would harm him. When I think of that I link it to Jeremiah 29:11 and every day I look down at my wrist I remind myself to have a trusting faith regardless of the circumstances and when I am fleshly and begin to doubt things. I continue stand up and move forward, knowing he has it all figured out already:) My eyes are welling with tears even writing this because God is so amazing!

     Shortly after that, the "Miller" girls of the family took a road trip trip Savannah: Me, Mom, Lauren(Who I was glad to have back from being in Spain for 2 months!), Aunt Amy, Aunt Lori, Kata, Taylor, and Grandma Yvonne. Can we say too many crazy girls in one place!!!! What a wonderful time it was, we enjoyed the relaxing Riverwalk, shopping and of course EATING! My fave place was Paula Deen's, primarily because the Mac and Cheese was to die for! I would drive up there again in a heartbeat just for that, although I'd probably have a heart attack on the way home :) We made some unforgettable memories! I love those ladies!

Tybee Island

       Hit up a few concerts: ZZ Top after the Rays game(I get my jam on to La Grange, weird I know!)enjoyed a night out with dinner at Lime with Seth and Sara Elbe, followed by Sting and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Amphitheater. AMAZING! A few weeks later Beth Mirelez, Gyn Hollingsworth and I had a girls night out to rock it out with Rhianna. Good times!

      The summer also held the wedding of my cousin Travis Williams to Nicole in Fort White and my Aunt Amy to Jerry in Steinhatchee. Both were beautiful weddings and enjoyed much needed family time.

      Dad recently purchased a boat, so we took it down the Hillsborough River to Downtown Tampa to the Bay, neat to experience the city I've lived in my whole life from a different angle. Enjoyed my first scalloping experience in Steinhatchee where I swear a scallop tried to eat me! :)The highlight of that day was seeing a group of dolphins and one of them jumped about 10 feet out of the water and did a perfect "Seaworld like" show for us! It almost brought tears to my eyes because it was like God was winking at us and saying,"See all of the beautiful things I've created, that was for you!." Also, enjoyed a day at the lake with our dear friends the Mirelezs and Bowyers. Many, many laughs that day, I almost lost my lunch on the tube with Beth because I couldn't stop laughing, and how could I forget Josh's "dock incident!!!" Won't go into detail for Josh's sake, I'll just tell you it was so stinking hilarious:) Beth and Carrie are two of the most amazing friends  a girl could ask for and have wonderful families who are like family to me.

Work From a different point of view

                                        

This would be why I was laughing so hard :)

Adorable Madison Bowyer

Awesomeness! What a fearless kiddo!

 
 I also just started working in the Neonatal ICU at the hospital. A HUGE  transition from the ER, but I love it. What precious babies! So thankful that God opens doors and has perfect timing: After much continued back pain, finding out that one of my screws from my back surgery is right against a nerve, working to get my back feeling better, and per the doc I needed to find another area to work in until it's ultimately fixed again. Babies in the NICU are itty bitty so it seemed like a good option! I got my heart set on it because I knew I would love it and I just so happened to look on the TGH website and see a job posting, got called the next day for an interview and while interviewing my new nurse manager said," I don't need to ask you all the usual questions, I just feel right about you and think you'll be a good fit for us." How great is God?
    Well I think that's about all :) I'm a horrible blogger so I have to clump everything together!