it's a ....

GIRL!

 

We are so thrilled about this little bundle of joy.

 

Of course, we didn't care either way - we are just thrilled to be having a baby after our long wait.

I can't wait to dress her up.  And I know Chris will be smitten completely.
 

 

More details to follow.

cast your vote

Friday night, we are having a small party with family and close friends

to reveal the gender of our sweet little babe. 

 

We had an early ultrasound today, so that we can reveal while my brother is home for the holidays.

 

We are so excited and can't wait!!!

 

 

 

What do you think baby will be ... a little man or a little miss?

seventeen weeks

Taken this morning as I was walking out the door.  Pardon the sleepy eyes.

Pregnancy Highlights
 

Size of baby:  Onion (average size 5.1 inches and 5.9 ounces)  At 17 weeks, baby’s working on getting stronger.  His/Her rubbery cartilage is now turning to bone.  And he/she is growing some meat on those bones -- putting on some fat.  He/She is growing a stronger, thicker umbilical cord, too. {info found on The Bump}

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Not sure.  Had a horrible stomach virus this week and lost weight.  Will find out definite number at next doctor appointment in January.
 

Cravings: Not really anything consistent. I am eating a lot of fruit ... mainly oranges and some apples. Occasionally, I have a craving for something specific - but it's just a one-time craving.
 

Symptoms: Nothing really - felt great this week; except for the two days I was sick with stomach virus.
 

Sleep: I am still sleeping okay - except for trips to the bathroom and changing positions often. And I miss sleeping on my belly.
 

Movement:  I had "thought" I might have felt movement earlier, but only felt it once, so I wasn't sure. But, early Saturday morning, December 22nd at approximately 5:45am, I rolled over to my right side and when I did, I felt not one, but two quick jabs.  I felt the first one; then felt the second one and I knew exactly what it was. 
 

Gender: Finding out this week!
 

Maternity Clothes: Still wearing mostly stretch-fabric or unbuttoning the top button. Not really ready for maternity clothes.  I have tried on a few maternity skirts for comfort - but my regular shirts aren't long enough to hide the panel and my belly isn't big enough for maternity shirts.  Finding something to wear is beginning to be frustrating!
 

What I miss:  Nothing really.  I'm feeling good, starting to get super-excited and a little nervous.
 

What I'm looking forward to: Finding out the gender and our gender reveal party.
 

Best Moment this week:  Feeling the baby move.  Celebrating Christmas as a "mom and dad."  Receiving sweet gifts for baby.  And hearing all the buzz at family Christmas gatherings about the excitement of another one added to the family next year.  (this will make 91 in my mother's side of the family ... from 4 generations down including in-laws)

Merry Christmas

Christmas always makes us think of the things most important in life. 

First and foremost, we celebrate Christ’s birth and the precious gift given to all who believe and receive.  We are reminded that our family and friends are some of our greatest gifts as well. 

 

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas filled with love, joy, and peace.  And I pray those hurting, grieving, suffering with sickness, discouraged, or lonely felt His presence near in an extra-special way.

smiles

Receiving Christmas cards addressed as these brings a big smile to my face.

 

 

 

and next year, for sure, there will be a sweet little name for everyone to add. 

sixteen weeks

Wow!  Baby has definitely grown in 2 weeks.

Pregnancy Highlights

Size of baby: Avocado (average size 4.6 inches and 3.5 ounces)  Baby is starting to be able to hear my voice, thanks to tiny bones forming in his/her ears.  At my next appointment, the doctor should be able to find heartbeat with Doppler.  And pretty soon, I should feel unmistakable movement.  He/She is growing hair, lashes and eyebrows, and he/she's forming taste buds. {info found on The Bump}

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Not sure.  Haven't stepped on home scales since last doctor appointment.  I'll find out for sure next week at doctor's appointment.
 

Cravings: Not really anything consistent.  I am eating a lot of fruit ... mainly oranges.  Occasionally, I have a craving for something specific like Sour Patch Kids candy, corn on the cob, Japanese food - but it's just a one-time craving.
 

Symptoms: Nausea has subsided - although I did get sick once this week, but I feel like it was because I waited to long to eat between meals.  I am still sleeping a lot and lacking energy. 
 

Sleep: I'm sleeping okay - except for trips to the bathroom and changing positions often. And I miss sleeping on my belly.
 

Movement: Not yet.
 

Gender: Can't wait to find out December 28th.
 

Maternity Clothes: Still wearing mostly stretch-fabric or unbuttoning the top button.  Not really ready for maternity clothes.
 

What I miss: Energy.
 

What I'm looking forward to: Finding out the gender.
 

Best Moment this week:  Seeing extended family and friends - knowing they share in our excitement and joy.  My Papa calls me "Little Mama" every time he sees me.  And it thrills me when Chris talks to the baby and randomly refers to baby in general conversation.  For example, last week, I asked him to get something from the guest room and he corrected me stating it was the NURSERY!  :)

oh, what love

In the passing of my aunt, I've had the song below on my mind over the past few days.
Circumstances of life are difficult to understand sometimes.
We can't comprehend the mind of God and His ways.
But, I can be assured that His eyes see me, His ears hear me, and His hands will help me.
Oh what love that a great big God cares about insignificant me and my life.

The Eyes Of Jesus
(couldn't confirm author - emphasis mine)

Sometimes it seems God's a million miles away
Too busy for a creature such as I
And then I think of how He sees each sparrow fall
I call on Him and find that He is nigh

The eyes of Jesus are upon each footstep that I take
His ears are always open when I pray
His hands are always there to help me lift my heavy load
His heart is broken every time I stray.

In valleys low I look to mountains high
And praise the Lord that caused this world to be.
That God so great holds me safe within His arms
What love that He should ever care for me.

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Psalm 8:3&4

Really, who am I?

And then I think of this season we are in - Christmas ... the great price paid to send God's only son.  A King chose his birth as a baby - knowing His end would be the cross.  He could've come to this Earth in many other manners; but He chose to come as a little babe, because He knew we'd understand a baby's cry and we wouldn't be afraid to come to Him.  Then, He walked this earth, knowing the pain and hurt we face.  And ultimately gave His precious life to provide us with redemption.  Oh, what an amazing plan!!

And He did this all just for me! (and you)
And no matter where I am or what I am going through ... His eyes see me, His ears hear me, and His hands will help me.
Oh, what love that a great big God cares about me.

fourteen weeks

I'm a little late in posting.  These past several days have been busy. 

(the person taking the picture cut off my head.  any guesses who that person might be?)

 

Pregnancy Highlights

 

How Far Along: 14 weeks
 

Size of baby: Lemon (average size 3.4 inches and 1.5 ounces) He/She has almost doubled in weight since last week and keeps on growing at a super speed.  He/She is probably sucking his/her thumb and wiggling his/her toes in there!  His/Her kidneys are making urine, and his/her liver and spleen are doing their jobs, too.  And he/she is growing lanugo, a thin, peach-fuzz-like hair, all over his/her body -- it will help him/her keep warm! {info found on The Bump}

Total Weight Gain/Loss: As of my doctor's appointment last Wednesday, I am still down 8 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. 
 

Cravings: Fruit, chocolate milk, and one night this week I wanted a steak!
 

Symptoms: Nausea has subsided.  Still sleeping a lot and lacking energy.  Doctor prescribed antiobiotics for the terrible sinus infection I had.
 

Sleep: I'm sleeping okay - except for trips to the bathroom and changing positions often.  And I miss sleeping on my belly.
 

Movement: Not yet, but I am looking forward to it
 

Gender: Can't wait to find out December 28th.
 

Maternity Clothes: Elastic and stretch-fabric are my saving grace now! Not ready for maternity clothes; but regular clothes with defined waists are uncomfortable.  I tried the rubberband trick this week; so that I could wear my skirt un-buttoned.  :)
 

What I miss: Energy - I guess my body is really working hard on baby-making.
 

What I'm looking forward to:  Finding out the gender.
 

Best Moment this week:  A lot of good things happened this week.  I've entered the 2nd trimester!  Monday we bought the crib for the nursery.  Wednesday, I had my first OBGYN appointment and they did another ultrasound - baby was so cute, everything is measuring on track, and heartbeat is still in the 160's.  The picture isn't the best ... I wish it had shown face profile, but this is all the doctor gave me and here he was getting the crown to rump measurement.