New Year's Eve 2002

We had so much fun ringing in the new year with our friends Troy & Sally and Rick & Julie!

We played Cranium.

Rick, Jeremy, & Troy try hard to use their craniums

  

Jeremy acting like Bob Dylan...

   

"Ahwhwhwhwhw, Sucker!"

Well, maybe not NO evil...

You have a baby in your tummy!!

"A baby...One of the most beautiful miracles in life,
one of the greatest joys we can ever know, and one of the reasons why there is a little extra sunshine, laughter and happiness  in your world today."   

 ~ Author Unknown
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This morning I made a "To-Do Before Baby Comes" list.   I have a lot more to do than I realized, and much less time than it seems too!  

I did rearrange the baby's room, clear off the changing table, and move the cradle, swing, bouncy seat, and glider into the room today.  I like this arrangement a lot better.

  

     I think I am carrying this baby a lot lower than I carried Annah.   With her, I remember my ribs really being stretched because she was up under them so far.  At this point, this baby is not really under my ribs much at all.  My belly is very much poking out the biggest in the belly button area.  I just realized this difference today.

     

Yesterday morning I walked into Annah's room all dressed and ready for church in a new dress.  She looked at me with wide eyes and said, "You have a baby in your tummy!!"  I must have looked very large, because she said it like she had never noticed my belly before.  I had to laugh.

Breech Worries

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"A new baby is like the beginning of all things--
wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities"
- Eda LeShan
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     Only (approximately) 9 weeks to go!!  Wow, that is scary and amazing!!  I can't believe we will be meeting our new little one so soon!  Wow!   Wow!  Wow!  

I think we have names picked out.  (We're not telling though!)  We thought we had them chosen a few weeks ago, then we went through the process again because I thought I didn't like the boy names and thought I had another girl name I liked.  But, now we've gone around again and chosen the same names, so I guess we really do like them! ;)  

Annah has been helping us decide too.  We ask her if she likes a name, and she repeats it if she likes it, or says, "No, not [name]." if she doesn't.  She likes the names we have picked out now, and is now convinced the baby is a boy.     

I am still worried about the baby being breech, and I can tell it hasn't turned yet because of where it kicks.  I know I shouldn't worry, but that is hard for me not to do.  I need to keep praying and completely substitute that for worry!  I'm trying!  It's just that I can't stand the thought of a C-section.   It scares me a lot!!  Hopefully this little one will just decide to do a big flip-flop and there won't be anything to worry about when the time comes.     

My cousin's baby, Cooper, has taken a huge turn for the better and surprised everyone.  Just as they were preparing to let him go, he got a lot stronger!  If he continues to do well, doctors say he will be a candidate for a stomach transplant.  He has a long road ahead of him, but God is truly at work in the situation, and we continue to pray for Cooper and the whole family. 

Cooper

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"Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven."
- Henry Ward Beecher
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     A lot of my thoughts and prayers today are about my cousin's baby--Cooper.  The surgery was thought to be a successful one, but while still waiting for the pathology report to come back they were called to the hospital in the middle of the night on Christmas.  It seems Cooper's stomach was bleeding, and he was rushed into emergency surgery only to find that the stomach was dead.  It and his spleen were removed, and he is now on life support.  The family members are all making their way from various states to meet baby Cooper, and I'm sure Debby and Rusty are struggling with the pain of making a very difficult decision...

     Things like this bring so many questions and fears to mind.   I don't understand why a baby (and his parents) should have to go through all that this one has been through in just over one week of life outside the womb.  I pray that God will somehow show them blessings through it all.

Ultrasound

     We have an ultrasound today!  I'm looking forward to it.   In a way, of course, I am tempted to find out the sex of the baby.  But, we really plan not to.  I didn't have an ultrasound after I was this far along with Annah, so I think it will be really cool to see how developed the baby is.

     Jeremy got me Dobson's new devotional book for parents for Christmas.  I started reading it this morning, and was absolutely bawling through the introduction!  (He was talking about when his youngest child left for college--empty nest.  It seems so far away, but as fast as Annah has grown already, I know it's "just around the corner.")   Anyway, I am so emotional these days!  I cry so easily...though, I suppose this really is not far from how I always am--pregnant or not.

     Christmas was wonderful.  Everyone kept saying to us, "Just think; next year there will be four of you!"  It is still so hard to imagine what it is going to be like!  Every time Jeremy and I talk about it, we always discuss how it is going to affect Annah.  We wonder if it will be difficult to share the love and attention equally between two children.  Last night, Jeremy said he wants to start taking Annah on dates.  I think that is a great idea.

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     The ultrasound we had today was really neat!  

The first thing we saw was that the baby already has lots of hair!  Annah had a full head of inch-long black hair when she was born, and I had just been wondering this morning about whether or not this one would.  It was really cool that we could see the hair; it was sticking up all over the baby's head!

     The technician doing the ultrasound was very good, and she pointed out lots of things, including kidneys, heart--which we could see beating--(always so cool to see!), the femur, arms and legs, feet and toes, the fact that the stomach and bladder were both full...  The baby was moving quite a bit, and we saw it moving its hands around, putting fingers in its mouth, and grabbing its toes.  It was very cool to see all of that!

     We also saw the placenta.  I asked the technician where it was in relation to the baby, and she said it is above it, just under my stomach.  I didn't realize this before, but she also explained that the placenta can be in a different place for each pregnancy.  It could be below the baby, or next to it...  It just depends where in the uterus the fertilization takes place.  I thought that was amazing!  I had no idea!

     The baby's heartrate at the time was 123.  Again, I'm thinking that sounds like it could be a boy.  (Jeremy, however, says he doesn't feel like judging by the heartrate is a reliable source.)  When we were asked before the exam started if we wanted to know the baby's sex, we said we didn't--and we stuck with that.  In fact, when it was all over, Jeremy asked her if she had seen if it was a boy or girl.  She said she wasn't really looking, but the baby had its legs kind of crossed, so she didn't try to see since we said we didn't want to know.

     We got lots of pictures today.  When the technician left the room to update my chart for the doctor, I noticed that one of the fields on the computer screen showed the estimated delivery date to be February 26.  I asked her about it when she came back in, and she said that is just by the measurements she took today, and doesn't change the original ultrasound due date of 3/3/03.  But, Jeremy now thinks we aren't going to make it past the middle of February.  He thinks this baby's coming early!

     We did also find out that the baby currently weighs 3 pounds, 8 ounces, which is right on target for 31 weeks.  (I gained 1 1/2 pounds myself in the past 2 weeks and 2 days.  However, I would estimated that the boots I was wearing today weigh at least 3/4 pound more than the tennis shoes I was wearing last time! ;) 

     We met with the doctor briefly.  She told us that the baby is currently upside down--breech.  That causes me a little worry, because the thought of a C-Section scares me to death!  But, Dr. W said there's plenty of time for the baby to turn, and that there's no cause for concern until 36 weeks.  Something else I need to be praying about!

     I asked the doctor if it's okay for me to make a birthing plan.   She said that's fine, and that's she's very laid back about everything.  We asked her for some information on childbirth classes.  (I think we're going to do one that just meets one time and is "review" class for those who have already been through a class and/or labor and delivery.) 

Dr. also told (or maybe I'd already been told?) us that we will have to have the baby at Bro-Menn hospital because of the insurance we have.  That is where we planned to go, since that's where the doctor's and also pediatrician's offices are, so that's fine.

     We really need to get cracking on picking out names!  I think we pretty much have a girl name picked, but are still having trouble with a boy one...better get going!

Christmas Day at Home 2002

 Our first Christmas in our own home was very nice.  I woke up early to start preparing lunch, and Jeremy and Annah both slept in until about 8:45.  When we asked Annah if she thought Santa Claus had come to our house during the night, she repeatedly said, "No."  When we took her into the living room to see for herself, she wasn't interested in opening presents; she wanted to watch Charlie Brown Christmas--again.  She was very crabby that morning, and could not be forced to open gifts until after watching Charlie Brown.  Maybe that will have to become a Christmas morning tradition--???  
Somehow, it seems that may not happen in the years to come...
     
Jeremy & I played Scrabble and watched his new DVD of Young Frankenstein (Thanks T and E!) while Annah napped all afternoon.   I creamed Jeremy the first game, so he decided there need to be a rematch; he won the second time around. 

     When Annah woke up from her nap, we all bundled up and went outside.  It was Annah's first time playing in the snow!  She was very excited to wear her snow boots and snowsuit, and had so much fun in the snow!  The snow was very powdery, so there was no snowman or snowballs to be made.  But, she got down on all fours and crawled around in it, saying, "Whee!  Whee!"  Even though it was really cold, it was a really fun time for all of us.
   

Annah playing with her new toy kitchen!  She is happy to have her very own kitchen and cupboards!

She says she is making macaroni.

putting the silverware in the dishwasher

Daddy helped Annah get all bundled up in her snowsuit and boots so she could play in the snow for the very first time.

more kitchen play

Annah sings a song about her fruits and vegetables and snowman book.

Christmas Eve 2002

This Christmas Eve we were graced with about 4-5 inches of beautiful snow!  We hadn't expected to get a white Christmas, but it sure was nice!  We took some pictures of Annah by the Christmas tree, and read her every Christmas-y book she has before nestling her snug in her bed.

waiting for Santa

Preparing for Christmas

My brother Travis, his wife Erin, and Erin's parents all came to visit us! Annah wasn't too sure what to think of Patti and Dave at first, but by the time they left, they were all good friends. We went to Famous Dave's for dinner. It was so nice of them to take time out of their visiting time together to make the trip to see us. We really enjoyed having them here!

Aunt Erin 

Annah trying out the Barney Move 'n Groove Dance Mat Trav and Erin gave her for Christmas

Uncle Travis tickles Annah.

We visited "The Big Pig" at Famous Daves.

Feeling It

     The way I am feeling is making me realize really how very close we are to having this baby!  

On Thursday night, we traveled to Indiana to see family for Christmas.  I stayed up talking to my mom until 1:00 AM our time, then got up 5 1/2 hours later.  All day Friday I had Braxton Hicks contractions--lots of them.  By supper time, they were  close together, and somewhat painful.  I probably between 15 and 20 during the 2 hours we were eating supper.  I was so physically exhausted and just aching and uncomfortable.  I took it easy on Friday and have been feeling better since.

In the past few weeks, we have learned several more of our friends and family members are expecting!  We are so excited for them all!  Our congratulations and prayers for:

Marci & Adam ~ expecting their 1st in July '03!

Brandy & Joe ~ expecting their 1st in August '03!
Wendy & Jim ~ expecting their 2nd in August '03!

     Today, I am also praying especially hard for my cousin Debby and all those around her.  She and her husband, Rusty, had a baby boy, Cooper Ross, last Wednesday the 18th.  Today he is having surgery to remove a yet unidentifiable mass in his abdomen which is pushing on some of his organs.  I can only begin to imagine how they are feeling, though I pray they are finding some comfort from the Lord.

McEowen Christmas

 This morning, we opened gifts with Gram and Krampa and Travis and Erin.  Annah loved opening gifts, and even took the time to sit down and play with some of them.  

Gram made Annah this fleece peacoat and hat.

A tiny tears baby doll!

What's in there Mommy?

This box is as big as I am!

A musical tea set!

A table and chairs to match Annah's room!

Time for a tea party!

Thank you Krampa and Gram!

After opening gifts we visited Great Grandma McEowen for a few minutes, then all had lunch together.  Gram went all out and made a fabulous meal!  In fact, we're still full! ;)  

Gifts from Grandpa & Grandma

After Annah's nap, we went to Grandpa and Grandma Lop's to open gifts.  

Annah received a set of dishes for her little kitchen.

 

Annah wanted to watch Charlie Brown Christmas while opening presents.

Grandpa picked out a LeapFrog phonics train set for Annah and her future sibling.

Veggie Tales Christmas video

Annah got to stay with Grandpa and Grandma for a while while Jeremy and I went to dinner with Brock and Amy.  What fun to have a double date and to actually get to see them and sit down and talk!  (We are so thrilled for them and their baby on the way!)  Annah had a ball stamp-painting with Grandma, having her favorite dinner--macaroni and cheese, and brownies for dessert, and watching It's Christmas Charlie Brown and eating popcorn.  

Carlos O'Kelly's Christmas

The Lopshire and DeHaven families gathered for a dinner at Carlos O'Kelly's today.