Our Little Avocado

Our baby is now the size of this avocado!  I cannot believe how much and how fast it is growing.  No wonder I've been so exhausted.  There's been an awful lot of construction goin on in my body.

I had a doctors appointment on Monday.  My mom went with me for the first time, and we had a lot of fun.  They said that my weight and blood pressure were great, and then......we got to hear the heartbeat.  I put Nick on speakerphone so he could hear it.  He and mom both said it sounded like a train.  About 140 beats per minute.  There was quite a bit of swishing noise in the background again, so he/she was moving around.

After the appointment we went to a few baby stores and looked at clothes.  So fun!  I found this "DADDY IS AWESOME" onesie and couldn't resist getting it for Nick.  He really liked it - although he didn't want his picture taken with it :(.  Me and mom also looked at fabric and sewing patterns; for the possibility of mom making some bedding and curtains for the nursery.  We just can't find anything online or in stores that we like.

Adopted Daughters

These were our adopted daughters for the weekend!

They kept us up till 2 a.m. Friday night and last night playing board games - OMG..... I don't think I've stayed up that long since high school.  

Sleep deprivation+pregnancy=deadness!

The girls were lovely participants of our youth discipleship weekend at church.  Together we shared bible study, prayer, practical jokes, waffles, eggs, bacon, pancakes, iced coffee, lots of candy, lots of dog kisses, and a few tears.  They were so sweet and funny and mischievous and polite - I think they've got Nick fairly confident that he could handle a little girl :)  A few have already informed us that they've claimed church nursery "rights" to the baby once he/she is born.

I promised the girls that they would make our baby blog.  

Girls, if you're reading, Nick and I hope for you the greatness of GOD'S perfect will for your lives, just as we wish that for our own child.

Yesterday, baby was 16-weeks old.  

4 months - WOW!

Doctors appointment tomorrow :) :) :)

15-Week Photo

This last photo is my 15-week belly - as compared to the first photo (9-weeks) and the second photo (12-weeks).  Still not a ton different, but I can definitely feel a difference.  If I run my hand down my stomach, there's a sudden hard bulge right in the middle of my torso.

I'm craving fruit and mexican food.  Nausea is markedly less.  

Nick and I enjoyed several hours Saturday night at Babys R Us and Target trying out lots of different strollers and other necessary baby equipment.  I'm trying to figure out what things are absolutely necessary and what things are just trendy gadgets that will unnecessarily clutter up my house :).  

Overdue Update

It's been far too long since my last post.  Sorry about that - for all you few who are actually keeping up with our blog on baby.

Shew………….life is busy…….…..and we don’t even have kids yet!!!  Commitments and priorities are definitely gonna have to shift a bit when this little one comes along so that we can have sanity in our home and rest in our souls :)

Since the last time I posted:

-My brother has moved back to TN after over 10 years of living hours away in other states – YAY!

-Nick’s parents came for a short visit and were the first to tell me I had the “pregnancy glow.” 

-I’ve spent hours and hours writing my weekly newspaper column and also a (hopefully contest-winning) article about some friends who are adopting a special-needs child.

-Nick has been working lots of overtime and going in to work extremely early in the morning.  That added to my pregnancy fatigue makes us a sleepy sight to behold come about 7:30 every night!

-I went away with about 20 women from church on a Beth Moore retreat.  So, so much fun.  Love my church family!

-I went shopping with mom for maternity clothes.  The shop had an 8-month bump that I could Velcro on to figure out what clothes would fit in my third trimester.  I rather enjoyed seeing myself looking pregnant :) 

-We passed the 14-week mark!!!  As of now the baby is about the size of a lemon - OMG!  He's also beginning to grow hair, making facial expressions, and probably starting to suck his thumb.

This coming Saturday will be 15 weeks.  As promised, I’ll post another picture of my belly growth – or lack thereof.

We Heard the Heartbeat!

Praising God today for a HEALTHY BABY!!!  I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it!

At our doctor’s appointment yesterday, Nick and I heard the heartbeat.  Loud and strong.  And, the baby was being rowdy too.  There was a lot of swishing noise in addition to the heartbeat, and doc said that was the baby moving and kicking – even though its only about the size of a golf ball!

I had been staying a little guarded thus far in the pregnancy.  We are aware of the high percentage of miscarriages in the first trimester, and I feel like I’ve had quite a bit of experience with God growing me through trial and hard things.  Those two facts combined…….. and, well……. I had totally prepared myself for bad news at yesterday’s appointment.  We didn’t get any bad news!  All good.  We are HAPPIER than usual today.

We also had the opportunity to ask a ton of questions about insurance coverage, payment particulars, and labor and delivery.  Everyone was so kind and patient and helpful.  We left with lots of info, joy in our hearts, and a plan to move forward.

The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord!