That's right... we're having a GIRL! :) I am 21 weeks along at this point and feeling great! Here are some pictures from the ultrasound this past Tuesday morning.
Not quite a modest little lady... but we wanted cooperation - and we got it! :)
Here is a profile shot of our little girl - though she didn't care to uncover her face!
And here's a straight-on shot. It looks like she might be praying in there! :) As Shane likes to say, "Spiritual from the start..."[WARNING: Long post to follow!]
While most of you who read this blog already know our exciting news, I figured it would be a good idea to chronicle the journey of our expanding family! We found out on October 8, 2009 that I was expecting our first child!! :) We were (and still are) ECSTATIC, to say the least. The morning of October 8 began as any other day - with work. As I left work for my regularly scheduled annual doctor appointment, I couldn't help but hope that my dream had become a reality. I kept telling myself, "Don't get your hopes up..." But let's be honest - they already were! Without getting into all the details, I'll just say that I had not yet taken a pregnancy test until the day of my doctor's appointment. After arriving at the office and taking care of my end of things for the test, I was waiting patiently in a chair as my blood pressure was taken. The nurse looked at me just seconds later and said very nonchalantly, "Well, you have a positive pregnancy test." I was dumbfounded! I immediately said, "Are you serious?" Not sure why... especially when we had been trying, and since this was what I was hoping for! But I think her tone and manner caused my initial reaction. It was as if she was reading aloud the things on her "to do" list. I suppose she has to be careful with how she delivers this statement, though, as not everyone would be excited for this news. Once it registered in my brain, I immediately began smiling from ear to ear and teared up a bit. At this point, she returned the smile and said, "Congratulations!" Let me share that Shane was attending class as I was being told this life-changing news. Had I thought I really WAS pregnant, I probably would've insisted that he come with me that morning. But I've dealt with disappointment before on this front and didn't want to create something out of what I thought was nothing.
After delivering this wonderful news, the nurse proceeds to ask me some other questions and determines that I am approximately 5 weeks and 2 days along - making my due date June 10, 2010. WHAT?! At this moment (while I am being escorted into an exam room), every possible thought is swirling around in my head. "I HAVE TO CALL SHANE!" "Oh my goodness... I can't believe this is happening!" "I don't feel any different. Is she sure the test was positive? What if she made a mistake?" The reality of this moment finally began to set in when I spoke with Shane just a few minutes later. I had left him a message for him to call me, and he did so as soon as his class was dismissed. I was with my doctor at this point and I told him that I might have to answer my phone should my husband call. Just seconds after uttering that statement, my phone began to vibrate in my pocket. I scrambled to grab it and heard Shane say, "So... what's up?" And I anxiously answered, "Umm... you're going to be a daddy!" His reaction was instant, saying, "Are you kidding??! Oh my goodness..." I could actually HEAR him smiling on the other end of the phone. He got in his car not long after our conversation and met me at work so we could enjoy lunch together as we shared in this awesome moment.
I'm happy to say that we are blessed to have been able tell both of our families in person. It all started off with our trip to Disney World with the DeHavens back at the end of October. Once we found out that I was pregnant, we began plotting how we would let the cat out of the bag. We knew that Shane's family would be the first we saw... and determined at that point that we would tell them as soon as everyone was together. Once we got home from that trip, we hopped on a plane to NY to tell my family. It was a whirlwind couple of weeks, but worth EVERY second. :) Both families were overjoyed at our news and we've been sharing it with friends and extended family ever since.
As of today I am just over 18 weeks along and feeling great! I had my moments of sickness during weeks 10-14, but besides that I really can't complain! I know now that I have to get at least 9 hours (if not 10) of sleep each night to feel fully rested. I'm drinking lots of water and eating well... making sure Baby D (as we fondly refer to him/her) gets all the necessary nutrients. We are looking forward to finding out the baby's gender in just a couple weeks! It is still quite a surreal experience, but I am so blessed and humbled to be carrying this new life inside of me. God is so amazing...
Here is our first ultrasound from week 8 along with a couple "baby bump" pictures (one from early December and one from just last week):
This past Sunday night we headed to the Dorrell Home for our small group meeting. This is the first time since September that we've had a chance to attend small group due to our travels - not to mention the fact that Shane was a bit apprehensive about re-entering the group that led to his exposure to H1N1... not cool. But in any case, we arrived a bit tired and not sure what to expect - only to find that our group is AWESOME!! I was pretty excited about it from the beginning, but Shane was a bit skeptical (as usual). You know that feeling when you're trying to force a friendship, or a spiritual conversation just to feel like you're making a connection? Well... we've had experiences like that before with small groups and just didn't want to have the same happen this time around. After we sat down, we were very pleasantly surprised to know that the group had decided on reading a VERY profound and interesting book - A.W. Tozer's Pursuit of God. Shane was excited from the moment he found out. We were anxious to hear what people brought to the table, hoping that we could truly be ourselves and feel like we still somehow fit into the group. I'm thankful that ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE! We had a blast getting to chat with these people, finding common interests and just joking around. There was no hidden agenda, no need to walk on eggshells for fear of offending - just a group of people having discussion about life and how God is changing each of us on a daily basis. I'm grateful not only for our small group, but First Alliance Church as a whole. We are constantly blessed by the preaching of the Word and the fellowship we continue to find. PRAISE GOD!
And on a TOTALLY different note - CONGRATULATIONS to my cousin, Kristen (and her husband, Kevin), on the arrival of their second child, Kate Ann Yaiko! She was born on November 15th around 11:30am in a Hungarian hospital, weighing in at 7 lbs., 11 ounces and measuring 21.25 inches long. Kate is doing VERY well and Kristen is feeling good after the delivery. Unfortunately, as of today the other members of the family are very ill. Their son, Seth, came down with a bad case of the flu and is now in the hospital himself receiving fluids and antibiotics to help his fever come down. Kevin is sick as well, though I don't think he's quite as bad as Seth. Kristen experienced some of the sickness, too - but has been cleared to go home with Kate. PLEASE pray that each member of the family continues to get better as Kate arrives home. The family wants to be together, but this nasty flu is making it awfully hard for that to happen. Here's a picture of Little Miss Yaiko ;)
We leave on Friday afternoon to make the drive down to Orlando, Florida. Why, you ask? Because we'll be spending ALL of next week in Disney World with the DeHaven Family!!! I am so excited about this trip and wait with anticipation for Friday to arrive! Have you ever noticed that when you look forward to something, it takes that much LONGER to happen? Ugh...
In other update news, I was able to fly to NY (thanks to my mom!) for Houghton College's Homecoming a couple weekends ago! My dad was inducted into their Hall of Honor for his accomplishments as a student athlete as well as his continued contributions to the school since his time as a student. It was a great time for him and my family - I feel so blessed that I could be there for it! And while I was there I got to meet Molly MacDonald for the first time. Molly is my sister's niece on the Luckey side of the family and is absolutely ADORABLE! Here are a couple pictures of her from our little visit. (Check out her "Future Highlander" onesie in the 2nd shot!)
Is she not the cutest child ever??! I was also able to visit with my friend, Cherith, for a bit since they've moved back up to Houghton. They are doing great in their new place, and it was nice to be able to catch up a bit while in our old stomping grounds! The rest of the weekend was spent with my family and we just had a blast together. The weather was great and the fellowship was sweet - I couldn't have asked for a better time!
Here's looking to Friday...
