Party of 3 Plus a Belly!

I haven't been great at taking the belly pictures this time around like I was with Cade. I had Eric pose me in front of a blank wall every 4 weeks with Cade. I think I'm lucky if I have 4 pictures this time! I guess that is what happens when #2 comes around and there is a busy 20 month old to look after and a new home to clean, decorate and organize. My sis was gracious enough to squeeze in taking some pictures of the 3 of us during a very busy weekend. Literally we had 15 minutes to get as many pictures as we could, and of course it was the perfect storm - - Jenny needed to get to Cooper to feed him, Cade needed a nap, Eric (who was on call for work all week long) had an emergency with a client, yet was kind enough to tear away for the photo opp, and we were expected at a 5 year old birthday party! Phew!! God had a grip on my heart and attitude because I know typically I would have been disappointed with the timing, upset we didn't get 100 photos, and frustrated with Eric's work emergency, but instead I was incredibly grateful for what we were able to capture. Life is not going to slow down, get any less busy or complicated.
So I am learning to be grateful for whatever the moment holds and sometimes you only need one picture to tell an entire story.

Cade's first feature film

(Eric)

Here's Cade in a few minutes of the 3d ultrasound he had done. Really neat to watch. Something worth noting... the cloudy looking blotch in front of his face is the placenta. The ultrasound technician was trying to focus in on his face while getting the placenta out of the way. It was also funny because the technician kept pushing on Melissa's stomach during the appointment to try and get his hands away from his face. We don't think he quite picked up on that, but we were still able to get great shots. Enjoy!

our little peapod - version 4.0

(Eric)

It's that time again.... time to update the blogging community (and our friends and family) with yet another update on the little one to come. It's been a month since our last visit in May, and yes we have another ultrasound pic to share. We're not exactly sure how big or long the baby is right now, but I think I remember Melissa saying something about a peach... In the picture, the baby is now upside down (from the last ultrasound pic anyways) with its feet up in the top right, the head at the bottom left and its arm right in front of its face. Sort of an interesting position. Melissa has been feeling more and more tired throughout the weekdays, but feeling okay overall. We've been attempting to get the bedtime schedule under control a bit more and she's doing better. It's still exciting to talk to folks that you work with or friends who are always asking questions about the baby. Melissa and I every so often have this moment where we tell each other, "There's a baby in there!", whilst pointing at her belly. We're grateful to everyone who continues to pray for us and the little one. To those who have not heard yet, yes... we WILL find out whether we're having a boy or a girl. Thought I'd throw that in there. The Lord continues to amaze us. To Him be the glory for this little one.

Praising Him for His Goodness

E & M

8 1/2 weeks of "wonderfulness"

(Eric)

Okay, so Melissa might not have picked this title EXACTLY, but here's the rub... We have learned a ton through each other this past 8 1/2 weeks that we wouldn't have changed it at all. After coming home from the doctor's office and taking this picture along with me up to Valencia, it started to feel very strange that I had a picture of our child with us. I kind of thought about those times when as a child we took those cheesy standard school photos (you know the ones where you felt like you cocked your head to the point where you felt it might fall off...), and it was like "I'm 'that dad' getting the photo" and keeping it in the car or in my wallet. Made me smile though. Anyways, our doctor verified the due date as December 15th after checking the size of the baby (18mm now compared to 6.5mm two weeks ago). Tests came back negative for cystic fibrosis which was a praise for us. Next thing on the list is coming back to the doctor in another month. Next appointment is set for June 8th. I should actually take the time while I have it now to mention how much Melissa and I both appreciate the doctor. She's been nothing short of helpful, and she's taken all the time in the world to answer our questions. We are truly thankful for Dr. Mandleman! Please continue to pray for the baby's health, and most of all for their salvation. Melissa and I have continually been reminding each other that this child is not ours, but the Lord's, and as such, we are merely stewards of this life. We look forward to more posts and will catch you all up soon.

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