Baby Blosser- 18 weeks

Baby Blosser- 18 weeks
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

So, do you think it's a boy or a girl?

Glowing Mommy

Glowing Mommy
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

Here she is, about 18 weeks!

Mom & Dad

Mom & Dad
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

We had a great weekend, enjoying a visit from Diedra's parents. We had great food, fun activities (like the JFK museum for the guys, maternity shopping for the girls), and encouraging conversation. As always, we were overwhelmed by generous hearts. Thanks for a great time! We love you!

Grinning

Anyone who knows my sleeping habits knows that I love to sleep and that when I want to go to sleep or continue sleeping, woe to those who stand in my way. (Honestly, this is one of the less sanctified areas of my life.) Needless to say, the electric fan and my earplug (yes, singular) are my best friends. So after a busy weekend trip DRIVING to Ohio and back for Dan’s 5 year college reunion and going back to work the day we drove into Dallas, I was on a direct course to bed and dreamland as soon as possible. However, on this night something greater than the desire for sleep kept me awake. What could it be? The kick…kick…kick of a tiny little foot, kept me wide awake, grinning in the dark. I have just begun to feel these movements the past couple of days and it is not those kicks you hear about later on in pregnancy that about take your breath away, but an oh-so-faint kick that I have to lay still and concentrate to feel. I was trying to find a way to describe it to Dan, and decided it is kind of the same feeling as blowing a little bit of air into the side of your cheek and letting it out quickly...or, not too dissimilar to a muscle spasm (although not as frequent and annoying). As I lay there concentrating, kick after kick I was thinking, “I just want to feel one more and then I will go to sleep”. A few minutes after I finally rolled on my side to go to sleep, I realized I still had a silly grin on my face. I know that soon a kick will mean a jab in my lung; and not too long after that, my precious sleep will be interrupted by cries at who knows what hour. But hopefully I will remember this grin and it will keep me grinning through the night.

Heartbeats and Hopes

I went to the doctor this week for a check-up and got to hear the baby’s heart beat for the first time. It is amazing to think there are two hearts beating in my body! Maybe this won’t seem weird to anyone else, but my whole life when I've gone to the doctor she's put the stethoscope on my chest and has listened to my heart. But this time the instrument was put on my stomach and the heart that was beating, that the nurse and I were listening to, was not mine, but somebody else’s! Strange indeed!

A couple of our dear friends sent us 3 books in the mail the other day; a children’s book with great illustrations called “Jesus Loves Me”, a parenting book called “Grace-Based Parenting”, and a journal to write out my thoughts on faith, the baby, pregnancy, and life. Each book touches a different part of my heart, stirring the hopes and dreams I have for parenting and for our child. It was a precious gift.

Speaking of hopes and dreams I have to share my 6 year old nephew Logan’s plans for the future. He told his mom (when he was five) that if being a soldier when he grew up didn’t work out, his second choice for a job would be to work at Dunkin' Donuts….They were standing in line at Dunkin' Donuts at the time, and I guess he must really enjoy it there:o) You can’t argue with that!