Fun Milestones

Last Friday, the day after we found out we were having a boy, I went shopping to get a celebratory "It's a Boy" outfit! It's a cute short-alls outfit with a short-sleeved polo shirt and a matching cap. They are in size newborn so this could be a going home or first time at church or something outfit, depending on how big or small he is when he's born. Since he'll be born in the middle of the summer, all the clothes for that time period need to be suitable for hot weather. We're also going to need to be careful of his probably sensitive skin and put him in hats and stuff to protect his head and ears - both mommy and daddy are pretty pale and sunburn prone!

Another fun picture is my 5 month pregnancy picture that Nathan took today! I am trying to be good about taking a picture once a month to highlight the growth of my tummy - especially for those out of the area who can't see me regularly. I think I skipped 3 months, but I hadn't really grown much since the last picture I had taken. From here on out, though, I'll be taking one as I complete each month. I'm 21 weeks along now, so that's right in the middle of the pregnancy, and right in the middle of the two different ways of dating your pregnancy. I'm actually 19 weeks according to gestational age.

Anyway, I'm enjoying every moment of this pregnancy. I love feeling him kick and move around. I think I've even had a few Braxton Hicks contractions this week - pretty strange to have your organs doing exercises without your direction! We registered last weekend, so the planning has officially begun! Lots of little boy blue items!!! God is good!

Abundant Blessings!

I just feel so overwhelmingly blessed by the Lord for how well my pregnancy has gone thus far. By no amount of my own merit do I deserve even the privilege and responsibility of having a baby. I want to humbly thank Him for seeing fit to allow our little boy to grow and develop healthy and normally up to this point. Each day we're given is a blessing. Each time I feel movement in my womb, I'm reminded of God grace in my life.

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." - Zechariah 4:6b

It's a Boy!!!

We found out yesterday afternoon that we're having a little boy! I'm 20 weeks along now and the ultrasound technician was very confident in what she was seeing, so that means I am, too. :) Now we get to start thinking about names and decorations and all that fun stuff! :) We're very excited!!!

Here are a few fun ultrasound pictures for you. The first two are profile pictures (his face is pointing upward). In the second one, you can see his heart and spine pretty well. At one point, he turned his head toward us on the monitor. :) It was fun to see him stretching and flexing his neck, arms, fingers, legs, and toes! The third picture is of his feet. He was wiggling his toes for us and she took a picture of it. :) Very cute.

Oh, and just for fun - for those of you who don't live in Southern California - it was 83 degrees this afternoon! In February! Talk about weird weather. My plants are gearing up for spring with lots of new growth. It rains a little bit every few weeks, but other than that, it's pretty hot and sunny. It doesn't feel like February, but it is very nice weather. :)

The Wonders of God's Word

I read this portion of Psalm 19 in my Bible reading this morning, and I wanted to remind you all of it's richness. This is a wonderfully encouraging and motivating piece of Scripture. God's Word revives us, makes us wise, causes us to rejoice, enlightens us, and is forever enduring and true. Shame on us if we neglect the richness these words have to offer.

"The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right;
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much find gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward."
Psalm 19:7-11

Three Months Notice

This Tuesday, I sat down with my boss and discussed what I considered a good day to quit working. It was kind of sad because I've been there so long and have been with the ministry through so many changes. The date I liked, April 27th (the end of the last week in April) has me working there two weeks shy of four years! As their Event Coordinator, that date allows me to wrap up the Banquet completely and put together instruction manuals for my successors, while leaving before the Baby Bottle Boomerang officially starts. I wanted to make sure that event had consistency with the same person familiar with all aspects of it, from start to finish. Last year's BBB had a change in personnel in the middle of it, and I think it suffered a little bit. Since it's a fundraiser, I wanted better for it and the ministry.

So, in essence, I gave my three-months-notice. :) A little different than two-weeks notice, but when you're obviously pregnant, your co-workers know you want to stay home with the baby, and everyone there is a believer, it makes sense to just get a date figured out ahead of time. That way, we can have a concrete goal to work towards - me with getting things wrapped up to leave, and everyone else with figuring out what to do with the work when I'm gone.

I'll have two months after I'm done working to stay home before the baby's born. I need to be somewhat productive so that Nathan is satisfied, so I'll probably do a lot of sewing or something. And, obviously, getting the baby's room ready. :)

Also, it seems like our baby moves the most when I wear my jeans. I think it's because they are a little tighter around the lower part of my abdomen when I sit down than other pants I have. They are maternity pants, but right where the denim meets the knit belly panel, it can be a little tight when I sit. On the days when I wear them, I can feel him/her moving a lot more - I wore some maternity khakis yesterday and hardly felt anything all day. Today - a little aerobics session has been going on most of the day! Such fun! :)