PRAYERS PLEASE

February 25 - A couple of weeks ago David was diagnosed with Fibrous Dysphasia, an abnormal bone growth, in his left arm that is very painful. He is going to have surgery, on Wednesday the 27th at Vanderbilt, to scrap out all the Dysphasia and a metal plate will be inserted. We have to spend the night at the hospital and are not sure what kind of recovery he will need on his arm. David's Mom is flying in for the surgery and to help take care of him. I am so thankful she is coming since we both do not know what to expect and we have not been through this before. We will keep you updated on the surgery and his recovery. Please keep David and I in your thoughts and prayers.

THE BEST FEELING EVER

February 23 - I was lying in bed trying to go back to sleep (8:00 AM) when I felt this jab in my lower belly. I couldn't believe it; did she just kick me? I put my hand on my belly to see if I could feel her kick me again and she did. I guess I made a loud noise because it woke David up and he asked me what was wrong. I immediately took his hand and put it on my tummy and said "she kicked me"!! A moment later she kicked again and David was able to feel it as well. He was so excited to feel her kick. He was able to feel her kick a total of 4 times. Sometimes it is a mild kick and sometimes it is a medium kick. I'm sure they are going to get stronger. I have noticed she is real active around 8:15 am, after I eat lunch and at night while I am watching TV. I have become so attached to her now that I know it is a girl and feel her kicking. I already can't imagine life without her.

ITS A GIRL!!!!

February 08 - Today is the day we have been waiting for, our 20 week appointment. We had an ultrasound to take measurements of the baby to make sure it was growing and developing according to plan and to find out the sex. My Mom went with us and was acting very much like a first time Grandmother; taking pictures of everything. We saw 3 little lines meaning it is a girl!! She is 6 inches long and weighs 14 ounces. The doctor said all her measurements are perfect and that everything with me is on track. She currently is breach just like me and my Dad. Her feet are pressing on my bladder which explains a lot. I have gained a total of 7 pounds and the doctor is very pleased with both of our progress.

Kristin's view: This was such an emotional day for me. I didn’t think it would be but I was both nervous and excited. As soon as I got in the room I felt like I would cry. When the ultrasound technician told us it was a girl I immediately started tearing up. I asked her if she was sure because I was so prepared for a boy. I have always wanted a girl so I could dress her in pink. The more I saw our little girl on the screen the more I teared up. I kept smiling at David and he was smiling at me. This was definitely a day I won’t forget.

David's view: I couldn’t sleep the night before because I was extremely excited. I wanted a girl so I could have a “Daddy’s little girl”. I then realized it would also be cool to have a little “Buckaroo” to toss a baseball around with or to play other sports. Either way, I was going to be happy as long as the baby was healthy. Well, it looks like we hit the jackpot because we are having a healthy baby girl. I teared up a little bit and blew Kristin a kiss. Now comes the fun part. I know we are going to spend a lot of money getting her room prepared, but I am actually looking forward to it. I never thought I would be happy to paint again, bring on the pastels!!!

IS THAT WHAT I THINK IT IS?

February 07 - Is that what I think it is? Today I think I felt the baby move. I felt a popping like sensation really low in my tummy. I was sitting up against my desk at work and all of a sudden I felt this popping feeling. I wasn't sure it was the baby but later I felt it again and again. I was eating dinner at Taco Bell waiting for my Mom's flight to arrive and the same feeling kept coming back. I don't feel it all the time but I know it is the baby. I usually feel the movements after I eat or when I am sitting close to my desk. The baby must be telling me it likes to eat but does not like to be to close to my desk. I love feeling the baby because now it feels real. It is so exciting. I wish David could feel the baby move.

OUR NEW BABY VEHICLE

February 6th - It was finally time to buy a bigger car for our growing family. We are going to sell David's car so we will now have two family sized vehicles. We got a 2007 Nissan Altima, which we love and is roomy enough for the baby and all its stuff. The funny thing is we purchased this car on January 27th and have not driven it much because it has been stormy in TN, I am scared to get it dirty and David is enjoying driving his car until we sell it.

20 WEEKS

February 4th - Today is 20 weeks, which means we are half way through the pregnancy. I feel both excited and sad about being half way through. I am excited because I can't wait to meet our child and sad because I am really enjoying being pregnant. Below are some of the reasons I love being pregnant:

1. Eating for two
2. Bonding with David
3. Eating for two
4. Watching my belly grow
5. Eating for two
6. Shopping for cute maternity clothes
7. Eating for two
8. Talking to other pregnant women about their experiences
9. Did I mention eating for two :)

At this point I am feeling really good. I have so much more energy, my appetite is growing and I just feel really happy and excited (Both Grandparents say I’m glowing). The only thing I'm not enjoying is sleep. I can't seem to get comfortable at night and wake up in the middle of the night starving or thirsty. Everything I smell I want to eat and anytime someone mentions a certain food I want to eat it. I'm starting to show more and people are always asking me about the pregnancy. My clothes are getting really tight so I have been wearing a couple of pieces of maternity clothes.

Only 4 more days until we find out the sex of our baby. I really feel like we are going to have a boy and David feels like it’s a girl. We just can't wait to find out. My Mom is coming to town and going to the doctor with us. We will be sure to let you know when we find out.