23 Weeks

"Every good and perfect gift is from above."

James 1:17

This, among others, is a verse we have kept in mind during my pregnancy. It was particularly helpful at our last appointment in June. At that appointment we found out we are having a girl - what a good a perfect gift! It was a bittersweet appointment though because at that appointment the doctor dropped a bit of not so expected news. She said that according to the ultrasound done that day (the one where we found out the sex) it appeared that there could be a slight abnormality with the placenta and umbilical cord. There was a chance that the cord didn't quite implant into the placenta correctly, that it was sort of partially implanted. What?!

Again telling us she wasn't even sure if this was the case, she needed to go ahead and explain further just so we were aware of the potential situation. If there was an abnomrality with the cord insertion, she explained, pregnancy would be normal, baby and I would be healthy, there would be no problems...until labor rolled around. She said the problem would be that when my water broke, there would be the chance that the cord would break away from the placenta before baby was out. And that could turn into an urgent and scary problem.

The doctor left us with reassurance that she wasn't even sure I had this abnormality, not to worry, and that we'd do another ultrasound at the next appointment to check it out for sure. Now, of course I was sitting there wide eyed, hearing all of this and wondering "Is she looking at the right chart and ultrasound?" I was so thankful that Steven was with me that day, because it was a bit surreal.

So, where did we go from there? To the Father of course! Our Creator- the one who created me, Steven, and our baby. We recalled James 1:17 and knew that no matter what happened with that next ultrasound and with the birth of our child, she is and will be a good and perfect gift from above!

"And this is the confidence we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." 1 John 5:14-15

Everyday we prayed about the situation. We prayed ultimately for God's will in this, asked that there would not be any problems found on the next ultrasound, and prayed that we'd be faithful and trust in Him, knowing that God will take care of us.

So, on July 11 I went for my 24 week appointment (but scheduling around doctor vacation, it was really 23 weeks for me.) I can honestly say that I was not nervous or anxious; I was actually quite at peace. I knew Steven and I had prayed faithfully, that God is sovereign, and that the situation was out of my control.

As I had the ultrasound done I was laughing the whole time! Baby girl decided to be more active than she ever had been up to that point and I was loving it! The technician was frustrated with all of the movement because she couldn't get a good look at the cord and placenta due to little one kicking all over the place. She thought is was cute though and was laughing and talking to the baby trying to get her to be still. There came a point where I was like "Ok little girl, sit still because this ultrasound is really important...you can play later!" Apparently the tech got the pictures she needed so it was off to see the doctor.

That wait seemed like forever, but soon enough in she came. She said "We did a placenta check today and after looking over the pictures, I don't see any problems with the placenta or cord." I was thinking "Can you say that again? Are you sure that's my chart?" I asked her if she was sure about her conclusion and she said yes! She said that the cord is attached to the placenta as it should be, but just a little off center (center is apparently where most are) so that's why the ultrasound from last time looked a little questionable. Right there in the doctor's office I was like "Praise the Lord!!" I knew He was at work!

Steven and I were so excited to get the good news from the doctor, but even more excited about the way the Lord answered our prayers!! We knew that His will would be done no matter what the outcome, and were thankful that He made everything alright. "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God..." Deuteronomy 7:9

So, after that long drawn out story...everything is fine with me and baby and we are moving right along!

Baby Girl at 23 weeks

Mommy-to-be at 23 weeks

(Again, so behind on posts. Here I am writing about 23 weeks when I'm just about 26!)

4th of July

(Where has this month gone? I am sooo behind on posting! Ahh!)

Steven and I had a very nice 4th of July weekend! We drove down to Birmingham and spent some much anticipated quality time with our families.

Friday the 4th we hung out at the Hyde's, enjoying a grilled feast and celebrating July birthdays. It was neat because it was the first family/holiday gathering with all of the married couples in attendance!

Alison & Steven

Shelley & Hans

Melissa & Jay

Then on Saturday the 5th we hung out at the Stanford's. We were excited to see my parent's house, as it has been majorly renovated and looks great! Again, it was a great gathering time because all of the often busy and spread out siblings were in attendance.

The Sibs: Drew, Holly, and Bethany

Like I said, we truly enjoyed the weekend in Birmingham with grandparents, parents, siblings, and in-laws! And as usual, we're looking forward to the next time!

Our trip back to Louisville was quite interesting. We were bringing back some furniture to our house, a load large enough to require a U-Haul truck. So, Steven and I made the trip in a big old 14 foot U-Haul! What would take five and a half hours in the car took six and a half in the U-Haul, ugh! And what really cracked me up was that I drove the big thing to turn it in the next day! Where was my camera for all of this?!

5 Years Ago

On June 28 Steven and I celebrated five years of marriage! Sometimes I can't believe it has already been five years, and sometimes I can't believe it's only been five years! We've done a lot in that time...we both finished school, got our first jobs in the real world, moved around a bit (5 times), traveled here and there, and now we're starting a family of our own.

When I look back over our past years together I can't help but give God the glory! He has changed us and our hearts in so many ways through so many situations and circumstances. We have both matured as adults (perhaps one of us more so than the other...just kidding!) and have greatly matured in our relationships with the Lord. God's provision and blessings over the past years are countless and so undeserved; for that we are thankful and look forward to the future He has for us.

We find the biblical model of marriage and instructions in Ephesians 5:22-33: "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

Marriage is a continual learning experience and we are so thankful for God's word that provides us with instructions! We are also thankful for the model of our loving parents who have all been married for 30+ years.

Steven and I are best friends and love each other so much!! We were excited to celebrate five years of being married to each other and look forward to the future!

FYI...We celebrated our anniversary at Morton's Steakhouse in downtown Louisville. Steven let me choose the place and I decided on Morton's months ago and looked forward to it everyday since! We sat in a large booth off to ourselves and enjoyed a nice, fabulous, delicious dinner together. It was so fun, like dating all over again!!

Week of Firsts

1. I have officially bought baby girl clothes! Last Saturday I went to a neighborhood garage sale and had fun. The lady had a big box of little girl clothes to dig through and she only charged a quarter per piece! It was a shopper's dream! I purcahsed some other baby things and felt like I was robbing the people outright. I tell you what- garage/yard sales are the way to go! I'm going to another one tomorrow! Then of course, a store I went into the other day had a little sleeper I just loved for half price, so I gave in and it came home with me! I'm still not totally in to all this baby shopping stuff, but I can see how it can get out of hand very quickly!!!


2. We have movement! Tuesday morning I was laying in the bed, delaying getting up of course. I had my arm laying across my tummy when all of a sudden my arm felt a strange throb coming from inside my tummy. I knew immediately what it was! I pressed down with my hand and felt three little movements. I immediately called Steven over to feel, but not in time. I haven't felt anything since, but I'm sure there is more to come!


3. I wore maternity pants for the first time this week. We went to dinner for our anniversary (more on that later!) and I needed something to wear! I've been getting away with gym shorts and t-shirts around the house and unbuttoning regular shorts for when I go places, but there is nothing in the closet when it comes to dressier clothes. I got a steal of a deal on a pair of black dress pants the other day and was proud to sport them to dinner. Hello comfort! Who wants to go back to button flies and zippers?!

And for the latest belly pic....

21 weeks and counting (that's over half way!)