Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Isn't she lovely?

Most of you have heard already, but we found out that our little one is going to be a girl. We had a very healthy diagnostic ultrasound on Tuesday and it couldn't have gone better. Everything was just as it should be and her heart rate was right on target - exactly mid-range.



In this first photo, she's facing down and you can see her spine along the top of her sillhouette. Her head is on the left side.

This is basically her bum in a sitting position. The arrow is pointing out the straight line that tells that she's a she. Underneath the arrow you can see her right leg and the bone is bright white. The stuff in between her legs is umbilical cord.
Here's a face shot of our little beauty queen. She was even posing for the camera with her little hands drawn up under her chin. Look at that round little belly. :) Looks like she might have her mommy's baby body. Poor kid. At the bottom right you can see the front of her right leg. Her mouth is open a little in this shot - she kept opening and closing it during the ultrasound. It was so cute.
This one shows her heart rate - 143 bpm. Just right!
We are so thankful for a healthy little girl! Now we just can't wait to meet her! The results of the blood tests that measure for birth defects should be back in a couple weeks, so we're looking forward to getting that out of the way. We'll keep everyone updated! As of tomorrow, we're half way through the pregnancy. It's hard to believe we're already that far!



Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Miss you...

It’s hard to believe that today marks one year since Grandpa Rip passed away. So much has happened and changed since that time. At this point last year, we were spending almost every day at the hospital waiting for him to pull out of it like he always had done before. I don’t think that any of us thought he would actually pass away… ever. He had survived so many things that it just seemed like another obstacle he was going to overcome.

When I talked to Grandpa Jerry after he had passed, he told me that it’s different for them at that stage in their life – that there is no fear of death when they know they’re on their way to meet their Savior. I think that any fighting he did, he did for us – even though he probably wanted nothing more than to go home to see Jesus.

That Sunday morning Staci sang a song in church called “Enough”. We had stayed up really late the night before learning it and when we were at the hospital that next day, I kept thinking we should sing it to him since he didn’t get to go to church to hear it. We didn’t end up doing it – but every time I hear that song now, it reminds me of him. This morning on my way to work it came on the radio just as I was thinking about the significance of today and was missing him. The more I think about it, the more I think the words describe what might have been going through his mind at that time – and why God finally gave him rest. Even though he didn’t hear us sing it to him – I think he was singing his own version of the song… in that one great note that he loved to hum in.

All of You is more than enough for All of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You
Is more than enough

You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
Worth living for
Still more awesome than I know

You're my sacrifice of greatest price
Still more awesome than I know
You're my coming King, You're everything
Still more awesome than I know

All of You is more than enough for All of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You
Is more than enough

How amazing that he now knows the awesomeness of God – that he has been in His presence. I can’t wait to see Grandpa again – to introduce him to our little one, to give him a hug and tell him that I love him and missed him. But I wouldn’t take away what he has now for anything – and I know he’ll be waiting to share it with us when it’s our time.

Until then... we sure do miss you, Grandpa.


Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Unspoken

When I was little, I remember having the option in Sunday School to request prayer for "unspoken" prayer requests. When I couldn't think of something to request prayer for, I always said "unspoken" so that it could be included in the prayer. It seems a little silly now... knowing that I just wanted to have something to say. But I remember - even as a child - thinking how cool it is that people don't have to voice the specific situation for God to hear their prayers and know what is needed.

I have a really big unspoken prayer request right now. It is not my business to talk about, but it is affecting someone that I love very much and it is heavy on my heart. I know that a lot of people that read this blog are serious prayer warriors. Whether that describes you or not - Please, please, please... keep this request in your prayers. The situation is beyond my understanding, but it is not bigger than God!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Playstation Home

Andy got selected to be a beta tester for the new Playstation Home. It's pretty exciting, as he gets to try everything out and give feedback before the program is ever released. We spent the evening last night setting up his "home" and I have to say - it was pretty fun. We got to set up a lot of things including interior design, furniture, and painting the walls. Then there is an entire city to explore - including shopping at the mall and playing games like bowling and pool. He's having a great time with it!

I figured I'd blog about something that is fun for him for once... :)

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Day 3

We celebrated Labor Day at Randy and Ellie's with swimming, games, hiking and a barbecue. A good time was had by all! :)

Monday, September 1, 2008

Day 2

NASCAR Pepsi 500

Sunday afternoon and evening we went to the NASCAR race at the Auto Club Speedway. My company gave us tickets in one of the Terrace Suites. It came with access to an air conditioned suite, rooftop seating above the pits and all you can eat and drink for the day. Oh, yeah... and special parking and pit passes. It was a blast!!


A Busy Weekend Ahead

We decided to take advantage of the three day weekend and pack it full of fun stuff!

Day 1 - Saturday

We went to Disneyland for the first time in a couple months. We were able to ride the new Toy Story ride "Midway Mania". It was really fun!

Mr. Potato Head interacts with the audience and talks to specific people in the crowd. The ride is like a video game where you shoot at targets and play carnival games in 3-D.




We also got Baby's first picture in front of the train station... the first of many, hopefully!