My Sister & My Growing Belly!!!

Good morning!

Heather arrived back in the States on February 7th and I got to see her that evening!!! We've had some wonderful quality time together...a refreshing hike at Kennesaw Mountain with the 3 crazy dogs (Sar'ee, Sammi, and Lucca), relaxing and visiting together, a night at the Fox Theater, then Heather and Tracy threw a blessing shower for me and the baby last Sunday!!!

Late last week my Uncle Jim and Aunt Becky came in from Wisconsin - so this weekend we got to spend some time with them and celebrated Heather's birthday together last night. Yesterday, we were also blessed to share time with Heather and all the other missionaries from Mount Paran North. A thatched hut was built in the center of the church gym to replicate a typical Cambodian home in the slums. (See the pic below of us in front of the hut).

It's been a sweet time to chat and soak in sisterly love...and talk with her face to face about this whole adventure!

Baby: apparently some time between weeks 16 and 22 I will feel little Skelly move for the very first time. I was told at the blessing shower that it kind of feels like popcorn popping in your belly...

Daddy: Kevin is so sweet and tender to me - and he'll lean down and start talking to the baby "Hey there, are you gettin some exercise in there?" The other day he put his ear up to my belly and swore he could hear the fluttering heart beat - we're going to see if a stethoscope will pick up more...then perhaps he'll let me order the doppler :)

Mommy: I'm going to the doctor this afternoon - been battling a sinus infection and soar throat with over the counter drugs for a week (all stuff I was told I could take). I was advised that if it persisted past a week that I needed to see my primary care for a perscription antibiotic.

Overall we are doing wonderfully and could not feel more supported or blessed!!!

Love you all!
K

Soaking at Tres Dias :)

Happy day to you all!!

Just wanted to let you know that bambino and I had a very amazing weekend at Tres Dias...we danced and praised the Lord together and I prayed for the little joy over and over again. The Lord truly met me there and I really felt the weekend was set aside just for me and my "Daddy".

There were so many amazing things that took place and were released from my life - all I can put into words is my gratefulness to the Lord for meeting me there and preparing the way for some much needed healing and forgiveness in my life! PRAISE THE LORD!!!

I know that this is a blog about our precious baby - but I felt it was very important to share the experience since I know it is a definite spiritual marker in my life to prepare me to be a more understanding and loving wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, sister-in-law and friend. Thank you to everyone who shared their love over the weekend and who was in prayer over me.

"You have turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." Psalm 30:11-12

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the spirit of (daughtership) and by Him we cry "Abba Father". Romans 8:15

Have a blessed and warm day!!!

K

Appointment #2 - Week 14, Day 1

Truth be told, Kevin and I were a little disappointed that a second ultrasound was not done this morning at my second appointment :( Boo who! We didn't get to see the growing precious bundle of joy...we'll have to wait until my next appointment at week 19 I guess.

First, the wonderful urine specimin - pee in this cup and leave it in this cute little cupboard that looks more like a place you put organic cooking spices!

Next, I had the beloved female exam that I thought I'd be able to avoid over the coming weeks and months - but no, not true!

Finally, we got to hear the bambino's heart beat racing at just around 150 BPM! The midwife, Michelle, said that is exactly where it should be at week 14!!! Note to self - check on eBay for a BeBe fetal doppler so we can hear this miracle heartbeat at home/round the clock ... no - I did not know about this particular device - the midwife suggested it if we were interested!

Then during the rest of the appointment we shared our family medical history with the midwife and shared the praise report I received from my Endocrinologist just yesterday! I used to be a patient at the Aflac Survivorship Clinic following my chemo treatment back in the college years - and after a quick call to them yesterday I was faxed my full medical summary (chemo drugs administered, surgery details, follow-up exams and protocols, etc.). Then Dr. Meacham called last night to confirm that I am NOT considered a high-risk pregnancy from the chemo drugs I had - and further said I will NOT need to be followed by a cardiologist throughout this pregancy. Thank you Jesus!!!!

Now - for some of the interesting questions I had this morning...

1. When do I have to stop sleeping on my back (I've heard about less oxygen being able to get to the placenta when you sleep on your back)....."during 3rd trimester....."

2. Do we have to get rid of Nani (our cat) when the baby comes (something I could never see doing - period!)......"no, just don't leave the baby alone with the kitty......"

3. Bones and muscles are popping and seem more prone to aching...is this normal?......"yes, it is something called relaxin and it peaks at 14 weeks of pregnancy......" (look it up girls - all lovely changes!!!!)

Then after giving 3 tubes of blood at LabCorp I was on my way to Dunkin Donuts to get my favorite everything bagel!!! Then on to work...

Not so bad afterall!!!

Now we wait almost 5 weeks to see the precious miracle on the big screen again! He/she will be almost double in size (6 inches) and weigh half a pound...

Yes - we will be taking these 5 weeks to make the next most important decision, will we find out the sex of baby Skelly (?)

As it stands now: Kevin=yes/Kelly=no