Jessie’s Blog

October 4, 2008

Ok.  It’s been a while.  This should make up for it, though.:)

Check out this video of Chloe:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPocIX-KKSE

 

July 14, 2008

Ok, as promised… new baby pics!  She is constantly changing and growing … it’s amazing!  She really learns something new every day!!  We’re amazed at how far she’s come along, and not even 3 months old yet!!  (Well, ok, she will be on Wednesday ). 

New Things — drooling!  Cute, but messy .  Also, she loves to stand (yes, for real stand) while we balance her under her armpits.  Today she decided she was going to sit up, too — and she did!  wow!  She loves to smile and laugh — a lot!  And she likes to talk!!  We’re not sure what she’s saying, but she’s definitely talking… trying hard to get her message across in the cutest little voice.  She loves to look at whatever we are eating and act like she wants some… Oh, and she loves to bunch blankets in her fists, put them in her mouth and suck on them.  Funny and cute.  Actually, she’s starting to get to that grab-things-and-put-to-mouth-for-drooling stage.. 

Sorry that some of them are rotated strangely… I realised this partway through the upload, and didn’t want to go back and change them, and the wordpress editor doesn’t have the feature to rotate…. they are thumbnails, so to see the real big pic, click on it… enjoy!

Daddy’s lil girl:     Girltalk:  Cuddle time.. they do this almost every night:   cute!    Flying!  smile!       bathtime:   

July 2, 2008

It’s 4:30am and the baby doesn’t want to sleep….
Experienced parents will be able to relate to this… and for all of you… just a glimpse into a day of Daddy-hood.

What do you do?  Do you a) attempt to rationalize reason with the 10-week old child (“Chloe, it’s really early and still dark outside, it’s time to be sleeping, not playing…”), do you b) ignore her (“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA”, and still no one sleeps), or do you c) just get up with her and hope that she gets sleepy again soon? 

Well, I chose option c . . . as I have a few other times.  But this usually means, she eventually gets to sleep, and Erica gets to go back ot sleep, but I usually don’t.  I’m not complaining, mind you — Erica will always win in the “lost sleep” contest, since she has to do all the feedings in the middle of the night. . . . and I love this baby!  She’s SOOOO cute and precious to me!!  I think I’m getting used to functioning on less sleep… 

So, what happened this time?  I took her in the Living Room, keeping all the light REALLY low and talked to her very little in quiet tones (psychological hint: “Hey, Chloe, it’s still night time!”).  I held her, rocked her, walked around with her, offered her a pacifier (which she rejected), let her sit in her infant chair (again, this idea was rejected).  Finally, as the crying escalated, it seemed that she was hungry.  What am I to do, wake Erica?  Definitely NOT!  So, with baby in arms, I rifle through the freezer, one-handed, looking for some stored milk… as I do, other random things fall out, landing on the hard floor with  MAJOR NOISE, of course (um, wasn’t the goal of taking the baby to let Erica SLEEP?!?).  Finally I find some and put it in water to warm… baby is getting more and more impatient (i.e. noisy, whiney).  I try to soothe with a pacifier, rocking, etc… only to get a more agitated response.  Finally able to get warm milk into the bottle and into baby’s mouth.  She grunts her disapproval at first (meaning, “I want MOMMY not this rubber bottle!!”).  But begins to suck the much-desired milk (and of course she stops crying, too… hard to do both at the same time ).  After about 60 seconds of eating, begins to doze off.  In another 60 seconds, decides she’s done with the bottle (parents will understand, the big tongue push-out) and falls fast asleep, heavy in my arms.  I put her up on my shoulder to burp, taking copious note of the time (5:29) and keep her up there for the recommended 30 minutes, so as to minimize any reflux issues (mind you, I’m watching the clock for the exact 30th minute).  The clock strikes 5:59, and I swiftly take the snoozing bundle of love back into the bedroom where my other love is sound asleep (mission accomplished = two sleeping beauties!).  I tuck in Chloe and head back into the disheveled mess that is our new home (unpacking/organizing takes a back seat to baby, of course).  The time is 6:03.  Time for me to wake up and face the day.  Coffee pot, here I come!  

Okay, so now for the pics   Click on them to see full-size.  1. This is sweet – they wer having “girl-talk”, you know, you can’t start too early.   Here she’s chillin’ in her bouncer, one of her fave place to be.  Here she looks like me.  And, here she looks just like Erica.  And here, she’s just BEATIFUL!!! 

May 21, 2008  Well, Chloe is a month old now!!!  Hard to believe, I know — time flies!  She turned 1 month on the 16th. 

I thought I would post some more pics for all you Chloe fans out there.  These were actually taken when she was 2 weeks old.  Brad, a friend of ours who does photography came over and took these shots.  I think they’re just amazing!  Enjoy!  (The pics are “thumbnails”, so if you click on one, you’ll be able to see it full size). 

                 

May 12, 2008 Well, I guess it’s time for an update…  This baby page has been very helpful.  It’s really fun that so many people are checking it and following along… although I know most of you only stop by for the pictures…

So, what’s new?  Well, we’re still tired.  I know, you parents aren’t surprised.  The minute we think we’re getting the hang of it, Chloe throws us a curve ball!  It’s never a dull moment.  

Yesterday was Erica’s first Mother’s Day as a Mom!!  So, after doing MY feeding (usually 4 or 5am slot), I didn’t really feel like going back to bed after (finally) getting Chloe snuggled down in bed (we had quite a time– I think 3 or 4 diaper changes in a hour?), so I decided to get up and prepare a special breakfast for Erica.  As I gathered the materials, I realised we didn’t have all that what needed.  So, I made a quick trip to the 24 hour grocery down the road.  I chopped and prepared and cooked…. and about the time it was ready, Mom and baby were waking!   To celebrate, I also bought a few gifts.  Chloe helped Erica celebrate, by keeping Mommy busy and on her toes (isn’t this the job description of motherhood?). 

In other news, the women out there will truly appreciate this… Erica was able to wear a pair of pre-pregnancy jeans today!!  I think she’s beautiful.

So, on to the important stuff you’re waiting for… pictures! (Again, these are thumbnails, to see the full deal, click on ‘em!)

Here’s me actually updating THIS BLOG sporting the new sling, and Chloe in it.  

Here’s a close up of her cute little head pocking out.   

Here’s me standing with her in the sling — my first time ever using it.. I wasn’t sure it would hold her.  

Erica, sporting the sling like a champ.  Getting them was her initiative, so she can keep the baby close while getting work done.  

crayon colored sign for Mother’s day!  

The gift display on the kitchen table to greet Erica when she awoke.  

Here’s the cute Chloe taking a nap (she does that a lot).  She looooves to have her hands in her face.. all the time!   

Beware, MAN WITH BABY SLING! It looks kinda warrior-like, doesn’t it?

I LOVE this face.. she’s like “Yo, whatchu want, Pops?” 

Erica gets a lil tired of me taking pics all the time… so she had a little fun.   

My beautiful girls.  

Erica IS still taking Med School classes.. fortunately the admins have allowed her to do a bunch of it online… AND bring the baby in when she has to be there!  

One last shot of the cutest baby ever!    

May 1, 2008  Okay, more pictures… c’mon, we’re first time parents!  You should expect it!  Again, they’re thumbnails, so if you want to see one full-size, click on it.  Enjoy!   Doesn’t she look like her Mom?  The Family’s first visit to church since Chloe’s birth .    Awww.  Love this pic.  We call this her “pirate eye”.  She likes to pull it out now and then.    This is us now, the “tired parents” look.  Compare to the “we’re pregnant” photo in a previous post.    So cute!  Sweet. Daddy’s little girl… she’s won my heart! 

 

            
April 20, 2008 (The pictures above are thumbnails, to view full size, just click on the picture…. more story to be added soon… just wanted to get the pictures up for y’all!) 

SHE’S HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Exactly 10 days after my last post!  She is here!!  She DID surprise us! (our due date was April 30)   What a great surprise tho’!! 

Tuesday evening, the 15th, Erica started having contractions.  We figured it was false labor.  So we went shopping for some last minute things to walk off the labor.  Well, it didn’t stop!  We kept record of the contractions (as Erica continued to try and study for Med School class the next day ).  They got very close, intense and regular, so we called the doc, who told us to go in to the hospital to get checked.  It turned out to be the real deal (although Erica wasn’t progressing really fast, and they almost sent us home!).  We have been taking Bradley Method natural birth classes (which, incidentally we did NOT finish ), and Erica was determined to the birth drug-free.  I’m happy to report that she DID!  She made it through the WHOLE labor without any drugs at all!  From midnight to almost 9am she was in good labor (more intense from about 7am-9am), and then when she got to second stage (the “pushing” time), she wen’t to town!  She pushed the baby out in 35 minutes!  Our doctor was really impressed with that, for a first timer.  I was by her side the whole time coaching her and helped as Chloe came out!  She came out holding on to her umbilical cord, kinda funny!  It was an amazing, tear-filled, explosive JOY time!!  You can see her first moments out on Mom’s belly in the first picture.  The next picture is when she “weighed in” at 6 lbs. 13 oz. and 20 inches long!  She is beautiful and perfect, and looked JUST LIKE ERICA!  

After the excellent birth there was a complication with the afterbirth of the placenta.  The cord (which Dr. uses to help pull it out) detached.  So, he had to reach in and try to get it and pull it out.  Unfortunately, it was stuck attached to a portion of the uterus, and Erica’s cervix (the opening to the uterus) had already begun to close.  This became an extraordinarily painful HOUR while the Dr. (who really is a GREAT guy) tried to remove the placenta (remember, she had no pain killer).  Erica actually passed out at one point from the pain of this.  It was a little frightening for me to watch (and hear her screams) and absolutely horrible for Erica.  It wasn’t going to work.  Our doctor quickly called in a surgeon.  The took her to the Operating Room where they administered a spinal anesthetic and removed the placenta in short order, and no other problems.  I was with Chloe the whole time.  We went into the baby nursery, and I snapped a few pics and talked to her (the third pic is from the nursery).  We rejoined Erica in the Recovery Room in about an hour.  Erica had to ride out some shakes (side effect of one of the drugs) and was really weak (no sleep, no food, traumatic afterbirth/surgery….).  But, we did it together, and within an hour or so she was able to take in some fluids and nurse Chloe for the first time.  Chloe took to nursing instantly (and now it’s one of her favorite things to do ).  We finally ordered some food and got moved into our Mother/Baby room  (Sparrow has an EXCELLENT Mother/Baby Center!!  and their nursing staff is really great, too!).  We called all of our family members and celebrated, started taking pictures, and ate! — it was a long night and long morning!  [Looking back in prayer, Erica found redemption in all of this -- she felt like God was saying it was prophetically significant that Chloe didn't want to let go of her cord, and Erica's body didn't want to let go of the placenta -- meaning that there will be a strong, unbreakable mother-daughter relationship that they will have.]

Thursday, we had visiting family and friends over.  It was great to share the joy of our baby with them all.  We learned what it was like that night to have a nursing baby and not really sleep through the night.  We didn’t mind, though.  It’s a joy.  Erica is such a good Mom, and does such an amazing job taking care of our little treasure!!  The surgery, trauma and painkillers were still taking a toll on Erica, so they had us stay another night. 

Friday, we were to be discharged in the afternoon, but it seems Chloe was manifesting some serious jaundice.  Upon checking the blood levels they found that they were kind of high, and they also noticed that she was losing more weight than preferred (it’s normal for the baby to lose weight initially).  So, we were told to bring her back in the morning to get rechecked and examined.  The process of leaving was quite long and drawn out.  We finally left around 10 or 11pm.  We were happy to be going home, but ran into ANOTHER snag… When we got there, my key broke off in the lock of our door, so we couldn’t get in to our apartment!!!  So, it’s late at night, with our (crying) newborn baby and recovering mother out in the parking lot, and I couldn’t get a hold of the emergency maintenance for our apartments (I called four times!).  I ended up calling 911 and getting a locksmith out to get us in.  This was all (again) rather traumatic.  We finally got in, and were VERY happy to be home, but it ended up being a VERY late night…. and hard to get up the next morning and go back to the hospital!!! 

Saturday, we got back to the hospital and had her blood drawn again.  The bilirubin levels had elevated even more.  They were a little concerned.  You can only imagine that the compounding events was beginning to weigh on us…  and yet we are so happy and blessed to have Chloe, and so amazed that God has given her to us!!  We ended up staying a large part of the day in the hospital (getting the blood draw, having her checked, waiting for results, going to a breastfeeding class our Dr. wanted).  We ended up going home with a “Billi-Blanket”, which is a little light unit that delivers “phototherapy” through the skin, and helps speed the process of breaking down the extra red blood cells that causes jaundice.  If you look in a couple of the pictures, you’ll see that she is glowing.  We started calling her ”our little glow worm” as she had to wear it at all times.  Sunday, we had to go back again to check levels.  This time, news was GOOD!  The level had dropped a good amount.  We were really happy about this (we were afraid they would want to keep her in the hospital if it got worse)!  We had to keep her on the BilliBlanket for another day.  We saw our Dr. again today (Monday the 21st), and Chloe is looking really good.  She’s been regaining weight really rapidly (2 ounces a day!  They say 1 ounce a day is good — so, she’s doing awesome!). 

So, we’re finally settling into the groove of having this beautiful little one around.  We were able to spend a quiet evening at home tonight, holding her and loving her. . . looking forward to tomorrow, where we won’t have to take any special trips or have any blood draws or anything like that!! 

Words can’t express how happy we are, how proud, how amazed…. to have this baby…. and it’s OURS!!!!  There’s a song we keep listening to called “You Blow My Mind”.  Chloe blows our mind.  She’s so beautiful and wonderful.  We keep exchanging tears of joy as we talk about her marvel over her.  God is good!!!!

 

April 6, 2008  NO, the baby isn’t here yet!  Some of you have been checking the page obsessively!  She’s not really due until the end of the month (April 26-30, somewhere in there according to ultrasounds, etc.).  I appreciate the enthusiasm, though, so I figured I should update the blog .  I think we really DO have everything ready now.  We have all the necessities, plus a lot of other cool stuff — thanks to all of our friends and family who’ve bought us/given us lots of stuff!  How ’bout a few pictures?

Here’s the crib and rocker.  The thing on top of the crib is a “crib tent” to keep the kitties out.  It’s kind of cool.  If she grows up with a strangely intense love for camping, we’ll know why.  

Here’s the changing pad on the cool new dresser (note the basket full of baby beauty aids — lotions, creams, rash ointment, etc. — she will be pampered and loved!).  On the wall are these really cute wall hangings that go with her bedset that we found on clearance — they match the cute little lamp, naturally.  

Check out the SWEET diaper bag!  Not too girly (yay! so I can wear it with pride, too.. although, I would, even if it was pink and flowery).  It’s compact but has ALL the features and accessories…. the only thing that would make it better is if it would change the diaper for you!

I saved the best for last… This might be my FAVORITE part of her room!  It’s her name hung up in letters on the wall!  All Erica’s idea, of course.  It just makes it feel so warm and cozy and welcoming for the baby.

Here’s Erica as we head into week 37.  Chloe is verrry active.  I love to put my hand on the belly and feel her moving, it’s so fun!  Well, it has finally happened- I’m tying the shoes (and I kind of enjoy it ).  Comfortable walking means a slow waddle.  I’m learning to waddle with her.  It’s kind of fun, and makes life feel laid back (for me, anyway).  Craving alert!  Ok, well, not really.  Erica hasn’t been much of one to crave specific foods during the pregnancy.  She says that she craves “sugar” a lot, like sweet stuff.  We think that’s mostly the body wanting a quick calorie/energy boost.  But, today as we are shopping in the store, Erica is looking longingly at the Pop Tarts.  Usually as we walk by she’ll make a comment, and I’ll brush her off, because we try to eat healthy, and as most of you know, Pop Tarts aren’t.  Tonight she stops and exclaims, “Pop Tarts with one serving of whole grain!!  Look, there’s 3 grams of fiber in each pastry!  This is my favorite flavor!”  After I realized she wasn’t joking, and chuckled, they of course went right into the cart.  Then, as we are putting our stuff on the conveyor to check out, I kid you not, she says, “Pop Tarts with whole grain, this is BRILLIANT!”  I don’t know about you, but I found her excitement quite amusing, especially when she said, “Brilliant!” in the same sentence as Pop Tarts!!  I assured her that would be in the blog.  So here it is.

 

March 23, 2008  Anticipation is seriously growing at this point.  Even our doctor was like, “well, if she comes today, she’s pretty much fully developed”.  According to our “due dates”, we’re about a month away.  Babies don’t care about the due date, though, they generally come when they’re “done”.  We’re excited like crazy.  The last 8 months have gone by really fast, and now we’re like, “ok, ok!  c’mon already!”.  I think we’ve crossed that line into being ready… mostly.  A few tiny details remain to be covered, but rest assured, Erica will make sure all i’s are dotted and t’s crossed.  Her maternal/nesting instict has kicked in, for sure. 

I’ve been the put-it-together-because-everything-needs-to-be-assembled guy.  It makes me feel like a Dad, so I don’t mind.  Experienced Dads remark, “oh yeah, get used to that, it never ends!”.  It’s still a novelty to me, so I will continue to enjoy it. ;).  So, here are some pics of the latest stuff.  Thanks to Grandpa Still for the dresser and travel system!  Oh, and we’ll throw in a pic of Erica’s growth progress, just for fun. 

If you look at the picture of the dresser, you’ll see a few interesting/important things.  On the left is the “Diaper Champ”, a uniquely designed trash bin for dirty diapers, made to keep the smell contained, very important for all noses in the house.  On the right is the suitcase (of course!) that we are packing for the trip to the hospital.  That box on top of it is a portable fan — a woman in our birthing class remarked, “If I could only have had a fan! . . . “, her tone of voice suggesting that it was the solution to all labor discomforts — well, WE WILL have a fan!   

March 12, 2008  We watched our first “live birth” video in our Bradley class Monday night.  I think it was my first time really seeing that!  I may have seen something like it wayyyyy back in school, but I may have looked away during the actual here-comes-the-baby part, because I don’t recall EVER having seen that.  It was really neat and a little stressful… My “knowledge” of birthing mostly has come from people’s personal horror stories (seems like almost every Mom has one), or from TV/movies — which always depict the mother in labor as a frantic, slightly psychotic mess.  It was so refreshing to see a Mom in labor AND the husband/coach PRESENT, completely composed, excited, clear-minded.  Yes, Mom was working hard, but she wasn’t screaming her head off.  Dad was seriously coaching (“go, go, go!  Great!).  They zoomed in as the baby crowned, and I was able to watch the whole thing.  There was a little blood (which I’m usually a little squirmish about), but then the baby came out and it was AMAZING!  They were all smiles and tears.  It got me really excited…. and made my heart beat a little fast, too… But, I’m just SO glad to KNOW what we’re going to be a part of.  Knowledge is power, and solving some of the “mystery” of this whole thing has been so relieving, for both of us!     

 March 8, 2008  It’s all about baby these days. . . this is all new to us!  Since it’s Erica’s spring break, we’ve been doing everything we can to get everything together, just in case Chloe decides to make her entrance early.   We’ve (we’ll mosly I) have been assembling everything –we’ve got the crib up, the stroller/car seat all set, the swing/rocker ready to go.  The room is mostly decorated.  It’s pretty sweet!

The pics above:  The baby crib we put together — cherry wood, “Sleigh” style.  Erica having fun gathering goodies at her shower last week.  A sign we made for the door to Chloe’s bedroom.  This was actually a gift wrap that Cathy Stuart made for a gift.  It was such beautiful work, Erica had to save it, and I thought it would be cool to frame it and put in on the bedroom door, so we did!

We’ve begun our Bradley Method (husband-coached natural birth) classes.  We’re excited to make Chloe’s birth a special event to be celebrated.  This birthing method views the birth day as an “athletic event”, and prepares Mom in such a way.  There’s a diet plan and daily exercizes to be done.   Erica is doing well in her “training”. 

Oh, and I HAVE tied Erica’s shoes a few times!! lol!   She still is doing her toenails, however — so, that’s good.  

February 20, 2008  Look out!!!  In a little over 2 months, Chloe Esther Still will be here!!!!!  She’s going to take over the world — and it’s going to be awesome!   We’re getting ready.  As you can see in the picture above, we painted her room last week!  It’s really cool.  It’s a really light lavender with random circles of darker purple.  The best way I’ve found to describe it is that when you’re in the room you feel like you’re underwater in a pool of light purple water.  I love it.  Erica has the best ideas on the planet — all kudos to her on the idea.  I just painted what she told me.  You can see the empty rocker (thanks to Granmda Ku!) waiting to hold our little bundle….  and if you look closely in the bottom right corner, Chloe’s pastel Noah’s ark bedset is there, and up on the bookshelf is the (very cute) matching lamp.  The crib (thanks Great Grandma & Grandpa!) is in a box on the other side of the room.. waiting to be assembled.    

 So, I kept promising and promising pictures.  THIS TIME I shall deliver!  If you’re one of Chloe’s avid fans, hold on to your seat!

In the one on the top, you can see she’s scratching her head, like “What the heck is goin’ on here?”  So cute.  In the one on the bottom, If you look close, you can see that she’s waving at us!    Isn’t she great? 

Mommy Erica is plugging away hard core at her Med School classes (cardiology- the hardest one there is, they say!), and handling everything very well.  Chloe continues to grow and expand the belly daily.  Erica has good humor about it, and lets me rub the baby belly and put lotion on it when I talk to Chloe at night.  She always responds to my hand and my voice.  I love it!  She knows that her Daddy loves her!

February 6, 2008  I thought I had posted about this, but I haven’t yet.  For me, this is the coolest thing that has happened so far.  Unfortunately, most people I’ve shared it with give me these strange looks.  They don’t get it.  One friend seemed to share my joy.  But, it’s my blog, so I’m going to share it (lol). 

Here’s what happened:  As you probably know, as the baby gets bigger, you can feel it kick — I LOVE feeling it kick.  One night a few weeks ago, Erica and I were hanging out and I was rubbing the baby belly as I enjoy doing.  Well, Chloe (the baby) started kicking so hard you could SEE her punch Erica’s stomach out!  It was kind of alien like, but so cool all at the same time.  So, I put my face up to Erica’s belly, and Chloe gave me a kick in the face!! It was SWEEET.  I loved it!  The best thing so far, seriously.  My baby touched me!   

January 17, 2008  So, we’re about 5 months in.  Yesterday, Erica had a  little scare (for the record, I wasn’tscared).  She was having some intense abdominal cramping and called me from work to take her to the doctor to check it out.  She feared it could be pre-term labor, which would for sure be a bad thing.  We saw the doc, who sent us over to the hospital and they hooked us up to a baby monitor and all that.  The baby was totally good, but Erica kept having the pains at intervals.  There was no sign of dilation or anything, though, so they let her ride it out for a long time and did a whole slew of tests to see what was up.  After a while (after waiting forever to see the hospital doc and then to get the results), the pains stopped.  In the end, the conclusion was some sort of intestinal bug moving through.  Not fun, but definitely not dangerous.   Apparently with Chloe growing in there, the other organs get pushed out of the way (this is prophetic, I’m sure — soon everything in our life will get pushed aside to make room for this bundle of awesomeness!) — and with everything squished in the abdomen, pain and discomfort can be quite amplified.  Anyhow, all is well and we got an early visit to the Mommy-Baby ward of the hospital.  

 On a lighter note. . . .  you may know that it is common as pregnancy progresses that a woman may have some difficulty doing things.. such as tying her shoes, etc.  Well, Erica is DETERMINED to not have me tie her shoes . . at least for now.  But (she might kill me if she finds out I posted this..) she just spent like a 1/2 hour trying to clip her toenails, and concluded, “that might be the last time I do that!”.  Um, no worries, if they start resembling a set of ginsu knives, I’ll be the good guy and clip them for her — at least so I don’t get unconsciously fileted (yeah, filet, like filet-o-fish — not sure how to write that as a past tense verb)  while sleeping in the bed with her at night! 

December 13, 2007  It’s a GIRL girl GIRL girl GIRL girl GIRL girl GIRL girl GIRL girl GIRL !!!!!!  We just found out a couple of days of go.. and we’re excited!!!! YAY!  Yep, had an in-depth ultrasound and saw everything, it was so fun (pics coming soon…).  and, I’ve been able to feel the baby moving a couple times — it’s the coolest!

So, CHLOE ESTHER STILL will be arriving to take over the world on (about) April, 25, 2008!!

look out!!!  little bundle of love, from Heaven above . . . coming soon! 

December 4, 2007.  Can’t believe I didn’t write before!  So, at our last visit we got to hear the baby heartbeat (again)!!  I’m telling you, this is one of the COOLEST sounds in the world, and it’s been stuck in my head ever since (woosh, woosh, woosh, woosh — that’s the sound it makes – 150 beats/minute, baby!). 

The real excitement is this — a  week from today, we get the official ultrasound, find out the gender and all that good stuff!  The pictures are supposed to be much better, too — so, look forward to that goodness!  

Wanna see a cool picture of what the baby probably looks like right now, and know the basics of what is developing?  Go to this site: http://www.visembryo.com/baby/20_weeks.html.  It’s very cool.  According to this, Baby Still is 5.6 to 6.4 inches long!  He could lay the length of my hand!  How sweet is that?!

October 28, 2007-  we got our FIRST pictures!!!  We went into the Dr. for our monthly check up, he ended up sending us for an emergency ultrasound, which was a little stressful (putting it lightly).  It ended up being a treat, because not only did we get to hear the heartbeat (which the doctor couldn’t find), we got to SEE THE BABY!!  It was awesome.  This picture doesn’t do it justice– we were able to see fingers, toes, and the baby was doin’ a little dance!  How fun! 

No, we don’t know the gender yet (can’t find out for another month), but we will find out as soon as we can.    Thanks for keeping us in prayer and our little child.  We know that he is full of destiny and we are already praying the anointing of God over him! 

As I’m posting today, October 10, 2007-  the baby should look something like this:

The picture is not to scale, mind you.  And, if anyone knows how to make the text “wrap” in wordpress, I’d be happy to learn that. 

Here are some other real pectures:

 This is us the day we “officially” found out Erica was pregnant with our first child.  Don’t we look happy??  

Here’s Erica at week 5-6, when we first found out.  Obviously, the baby isn’t showing, but IT’S IN THERE!  So, we wanted to take a picture, for posterity sake. . . you know, later when the kid is growing up:  “This is when you first started your life! you’re inside of mommy!”, to which our precious, cute, and amazingly intellegent child will eloquently reply, “Ewwwwwwwwww!”   

This is Erica now, as we start month #3.  She’s showing!  I can feel the pressure of the baby pushing out on her stomach.  I’m sure it doesn’t feel that comfortable!  But, we are happy!  Hopefully at the next visit to the Doc we can hear the heartbeat!