It is AMAZING how time seemed to pass soooo slowly when I was pregnant. Now, the days fly by like hours, the weeks like days! I distinctly remember my dad telling me about this phenomenon when I was younger. Once again I find myself admitted, "Dad, you were right!" :) It has been a challenge for me to juggle my responsibilities and be the kind of mom I want to be. I haven't had the time to blog b/c I find my days consumed with feeding, diapering, playing, squeezing in a little work! Oh, and then there is the laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning! I either need a clone, 4 more arms, or to lighten up and relinquish some control! I'm thinking the last option is the only feasible one! All that to say, I am going to be home throughout the week and my goal is to blog weekly. If for no other reason, to gush over my beautiful gift from God!

Seriously slacking on our blog!

I can't believe I went the entire month of January without blogging! I had better get my act together :) We are now 23 days away from our due date! I think we have everything prepared-nursery is finished, clothes hanging in the closet, suitcases packed for the hospital. We are so excited and thankful. I am definitely uncomfortable and having a hard time sleeping, but I love it...its only a brief moment in time I get to have this experience and I cherish it-even the repeated kicks in my ribs like I'm experiencing at this very moment! I even have a bruise on my stomach from one of those strong little feet! The emotions we are experiencing are overwhelming...the excitement, anticipation, but also some anxiety and fear. Speaking of anxiety...on a lighter note, Tanner is seriously acting out-so much so that we just scheduled an in-home visit with an animal behavior specialist. He is coming to meet Tanner, Blake, and I on Monday afternoon. I have been really nervous about how Tanner will adjust to the baby, we want to do everything we can to make this transition smooth. Hopefully we will get some good puppy parenting tips and Tanner will get his act together! :)

Reflecting on 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imzkwkgUF4E

2009 has been quite a year...filled with highs and lows. I've experienced some of the greatest joys of my life along with the most painful lows. As we get packed up for Christmas and I hustle to tie up loose ends at work and cook different dishes and wrap gifts I was hit with a thought that brought me to complete stillness. Last year on this very day I was pregnant and didn't even know it yet. I was told that there would be times all throughout this first year when grief would hit me out of the blue...this was one of those times. We have so much joy and anticipation as we approach our due date, but as that date nears we also approach the one year anniversary of our loss. In fact, they are only 7 days apart. As I reflect on the past year and enjoy the squirms and wiggles of our expected baby, I also want to verbalize my love for our first baby. We will be better parents b/c of the way our lives have been changed. We have so much to be thankful for...family and friends who we love very much. I am thankful for the love and support you have given us in 2009.

Loving the Holidays!

I have really been slacking on updating our blog! The holiday get-togethers and shopping have kept me busy! Time seems to be flying by, I can hardly believe we are in December already. Blake and I put up the Christmas tree and even did a little shopping last weekend. I wrapped some gifts and put them under the tree only to find that Tanner had eaten the tissue paper out of Phil's gift bag. I almost repackaged it, but then thought it was kind of cute and Phil would appreciate that Tanner chose his present to nibble on. I'm a little concerned about how Tanner is going to react to the baby-he has certainly been acting out lately and surprising me with his bad behavior...it might be time to get the crate back out when we aren't home!

We had our 27 week doctor appointment yesterday. This picture is this baby's face from the side. Baby is looking up and you can see the outline of his/her nose and lips. Those lips look like Blake's! As of right now baby is head down and measuring right on. Heartrate was about 137. We have one more 4 week appointment and then we begin seeing Dr. Lorenc every two weeks. The anticipation and excitement are really building. I've purchased a few simple newborn onesies, but have had an extremely hard time finding neutral things that I like! Luckily we just need the essentials in the beginning :) I am very excited about our diaper bag...Lisa is ordering it for us with the baby's name embroidered, but we won't open the box until the baby arrives! How cool is that!? I opted for the same bag she has for her baby girls-she has such a wealth of knowledge about babies and what you need/dont need, what works and what doesn't-we are very thankful for her friendship and wisdom! I think it's about bed time for me. good night :)

Our 2nd Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday Blake & I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. It was such a pretty day...sunny and crisp. Both of us felt like it was very similar to the weather on our actualy wedding day. We spent the day together just enjoying each other's company, exchanged gifts, and then went out for a special dinner at Eddie Merlot's. Blake also surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of roses and lillies. He sure knows how to select flowers! Our kitchen smells wonderful this morning, filled with the scent of lillies.
Thinking back on the past two years I feel so blessed to have a husband who is 150% committed to our marriage and to me. He puts forth so much effort in nurturing our relationship and keeping it strong. I appreciate him so much. It's hard for me to believe that two years have passed by already... I look forward to all of the promises the future holds for us. It isn't always easy and every day isn't a fairy tale, but being married to Blake is the best. There is no one else I would want as my lifelong partner.
I know that God put us together for His purpose. We were both on pretty destructive paths when we met, but together, we have become better individuals. There is still a lot of work to be done, but with a partner like mine, I know that growth is inevitable.

22 week Ultrasound Pictures

So much to be thankful for

Despite many days of rainy weather this week I can think of about a million reasons to give thanks. I had the opportunity to do some "fun, on-the-side" photography this week. On Tuesday I worked with a family of five. They were very cooperative considering it began raining right at the beginning of our session and never let up! Plus, they are pretty people, which makes my job easier :) Then on Thursday I took some fall pictures of Braxten, Morgan's 10 month old little boy. I have really enjoyed photographing him as he has grown this year! It's so neat chronicle children growing. I also met Heather and Gavin at Headwaters park for some pics in the leaves. So, even though work at the hospital has been slow, I have kept pretty busy!

I'm glad that there have been things to fill my time b/c Blake & I were anxiously awaiting today's Dr. appt. We had a formal ultrasound followed by a routine check-up with Dr. Lorenc. The ultrasound went extremely well. We had a great tech and I'll try to recall some of the stats here: baby weighs 1 lb 2 oz and my fluid is at 14. Heartrate was 144 and the cranial and spinal measurements were right on with dates. We looked away from the screen while the tech confirmed Dr. Lorenc's gender prediction, but they are keeping it a secret! She located all of the organs she was looking for, 4 chambers of the heart, toes and fingers....huge sigh of relief! I am so thankful and think it is such a miracle that we have had a healthy pregnancy so far. Each day is a blessing. The moments I enjoy most are in the stillness when I feel kung-fu practice going on in my stomach. Blake & I love to lay in bed at night with his hands on the baby and laugh at the kicks and "high-fives" we are given. Last night we were at my parent's house for dinner and my mom was able to feel a good kick too. Being pregnant is awesome! This is the best time of our lives and we anticipate even greater things to come! As soon as I get some of our ultrasound pictures scanned in, I will put them up.