32 weeks

Just a quick update...

I had a routine doctor appointment today. Kadenn went along this time. This was her first experience getting to "check on the baby", so she was very excited!

The baby's heartbeat was in the 14o's, it was a bit hard to hear at times because Baby can NOT stay still. The doctor was very pleased though, with how things are going thus far. I am down to 7 weeks and 3 days til my due date...and YES, I am counting down!

I also found out today that I can take Benedryl! I know, not a big deal to the majority of the world. And, being able to take Benedryl while pregnant is probably old news. but here's the deal...

I avoid taking medicine like the plague. So I didn't make it a point to learn what meds I can and can't take. Anyway, on to my point.

I haven't been sleeping...at all! Maybe 2 hours a night, 3 or 4 if I'm lucky. I don't even nap during the day. I'm sure you can only imagine how that must make me feel. So, knowing that it is okay for me to take Benedryl is a good thing! I am so looking forward to going to sleep tonight!

I Will Praise You in This Storm

I have gone back and forth for the last few days, trying to decide whether or not I would share this story on the blog. It has been almost 2 years, since our lives have become an open book, and we called on our friends, family, and blog readers to become prayer warriors with us.

Yes, from time to time I relish the thought of "privacy", but then God reminds me that each of us have been given a testimony, if you will, and if we don't use it to minister to others we are hindering God's power. I guess you could look at it like the Parable of the talents, and what will you do with God's gift?

For those of you that have been faithfully reading the blog for a while now, know that if you leave the page loaded long enough, you will here Casting Crown's song: Praise You in this Storm. That is just one of several songs that hold special meaning to our family. In our house we refer to the songs on the blog as "Todd's songs". I don't listen to them often any more, for several reasons...

Last week, I was putting a few things away in the closet, in the Baby Todd's room. Which, has now been transformed to the new Baby Sister's room. However, most of Baby Todd's things are packed in the closet, including the bags of cards and gifts we brought home from DuPont. They haven't been touched or sorted through yet, just put in the closet for now. Anyway, I was putting some things away in the closet just like I've done hundreds of times before. Only for some reason, this time was different. As I'm sitting there, I suddenly heard the song Praise You in this Storm start playing. I had no idea where it was coming from. After some delay I realized it was coming from one of the "DuPont Bags", and I instantly started digging, and crying. The faster I dug for whatever was playing this music, the faster the tears flowed. It was now to the point that I could no longer see what I was digging for. I just had to stop that music. Finally, I gave up and said "okay God, you have my attention..."

A musical card, in one of the bags, turned out to be the culprit. Still not sure what made it start to play music, I never touched the bag at all.

I shared what had happened with Dustin, but neither of us really said much about the experience. Later that night, as I lay in bed (unable to sleep, as usual), I began to pray about it. I really wanted to know what God was trying say, no matter how painful it might be. The one thing I kept hearing Him say over and over again was,

"Your storm isn't over...so, why did you stop praising Me?"

Yikes, did I hear that clearly? Yes, I did. Loud and clear, several times. What I realized at that moment is, that storms come and go. Some take a while to pass and others move in and out quickly and very unexpectedly. The same is true with our spiritual storms as well. I have no idea what my storm is right now, and I have no idea where God is taking me next. But what I do know is that storm I'm facing or about to face, won't seem so big while I'm praising God!

From the very beginning, when we asked you all to become prayer warriors with us, we began praying for you too. We don't know who you are, or what your storms are, but we pray for you. My prayer for you (our blog readers) now, is that no matter what storm you are weathering at the moment, you will be able to find a way to continue to praise Him!

28 weeks (almost 29) and counting...

I know, it's probably a bit soon to start the count down...

...but: It's summer - which means it will get crazy hot real soon. And, I'm feeling huge! Doesn't make for a good combination or a happy pregnant mama...

anyway, moving on to a few updates:

• Starting this week, I will be seeing the Doctor every other week. Because of my 'history' they are hoping to find a 'problem' with either me or the baby. Encouraging, huh!?!
• This coming Friday (June 4th) I have dedicated to the Lab...I'll be enduring the 3 hour glucose tolerance test. Yes, the one I thought I got out of 2 weeks ago!
• Starting at 32 weeks (4 weeks from now) I will start having weekly NST's. (Non-stress tests) - to monitor Baby's movement & my contractions.
• I have one more ultrasound scheduled for July. Currently Baby is measuring in the 6oth percentile. Which, according to the doctor, is average.
• The nursery is well underway. Just a few more things to take care of, and her room will be all set!

These are a few shots of the Princess, taken at 26 weeks!

I still find it funny and exciting to see how God answers our prayers. Yes, even the small things matter to Him...and I love that!

Yesterday was my 26 week appointment with the Baby Doctor. Technically though, I am 26 weeks and 5 days. Anyway, I was also to have the dreaded Glucose Tolerance Test yesterday, as well. Now, any of you who have had this test, know what I am talking about. It's not a big deal, but that stuff they make you drink is just plain disgusting. Originally, I was told that I would have the 3+ hour version of this test. Which means I drink the juice then have blood drawn 3 or 4 times in hourly intervals. I am not a patient person & Dustin was in meetings at work, so I was in this by myself.

As it turned out...I didn't have to do the 3 hour version at all. So thank you for answering my prayers!!

On another note, everything with the little "Princess" is going just fine. The doctors are very pleased with me (us).

Starting with my next appointment, I will start having appointments every 2 weeks. Seems soon, I know. BUT, they have told me that because of my history, they are looking for something to go wrong. So, the more often they see me, the more likely they are to find "something". It wasn't very encouraging to hear that, even though I already knew this in the back of my mind. So, if you could please be praying for me in the area of patience...that would be great and much appreciated. I am not a patient person, so 3 more months of waiting for baby to arrive, plus, extra doctor visits just make me a bit crazy!

New Look!

As you notice, I have made a change to the look of the blog. This isn't a mistake, I just thought it was time for something different...maybe a bit more girly!

Ooops...it looks like I may have lost some of the links that were on the right column. I'll hopefully have them up again soon!

Jerri

Finally, 9 months in the waiting!

It has been almost 9 months of waiting...both painfully and patiently! But, we finally got the call last Thursday, that Baby Todd's gravestone was being installed.

We took the girls by the church's cemetary the following Saturday to see it.

After all the wait, we were very pleased with how it turned out. As painful as it was, it was definitely worth the wait!

It's nothing fancy...but, being the "farming, outdoorsy" family that we are...we wanted it to look like a rock that was dug up on the farm. Or, something you would see hiking in the mountains.

We've been wanting to go back and take flowers to dress things up a bit. However, Kylei had the bright idea of buying some bulbs to plant next to the stone. So, this weekend we will be buying some bulbs for Baby Todd.

22 weeks

I know...I'm a bit behind on updating everyone. And, by now, I'm sure most of you have already heard...

We are having

a GIRL!!

Yes, you heard/read correctly...a GIRL!

Yes, we already have a name picked. Not sure about the middle name, but we do have a first name.

NO...we won't be telling you what it is!! :) The name shall remain TOP SECRET for a few more months. However, you are more than welcome to try and figure it out. Leave your guess in a comment. We will definitely enjoy reading through everyone's "guesses".

Moving on...

I did see the specialist in Harrisburg on March 31st. It was a very bittersweet visit. I was so happy to see some very special nurses & doctors. Yet, very sad that I was "back at the specialist".

I had a Level 2 ultrasound, which included very detailed pictures and measurements of the baby's legs, arms, head and organs.

She is amazingly cute, with a little button nose...and healthy!

Both the ultrasound tech and the doctor gave us a clean bill of health. Praise the Lord!!

They did recommend that I have a few more ultrasounds, which aren't really a big deal. Honestly, I am okay with a few more ultrasounds. I kind of like getting to see the baby!

Other than that, we are just hanging out until August!

We did bring home a few pictures, unfortunately she didn't cooperate real well. So they aren't the greatest. Hopefully next time I'll get some good shots and be able to introduce her to the blog world!