Pumpkin Patch 2010

We had a great time at the pumpkin patch. I remember last time this year Lucas couldn't even sit up on his own, I had to prop him against a pumpkin and then hurry and snap a shot before he toppled over. It is amazing what a difference a year makes.

It's a....

GIRL! A sweet baby girl. The best news of the day is that the ultra sound showed that everything looks perfectly normal! AMEN!! He said the baby is measuring one day ahead of our due date, so pretty much right on target! We are so blessed and so thankful to have both an encouraging echo and ultrasound. The doctor that did the ultrasound said everything looked "boringly normal." Hey, we'll take boring and normal any day of the week!

I sort of had a hunch that it was going to be a girl (Peter did too). Sort of like a secret I didn't want to tell, because we would have been perfectly happy and content either way. I just had a feeling.. and I sometimes caught myself referring to the baby as a girl. Well, now I can for sure. We are so happy and so excited to watch Lucas grow as a big brother. I have a feeling he is going to be protective of his little sister.

Fetal Echo

Today was the day we had been anxious about since before we found out we were pregnant. When Peter and I decided to add on to our family we knew had a higher than normal risk of having another baby with a CHD. But, we also know that Lucas is the best thing that has happened to us and we would do it again if needed.

I don't think I have ever been as nervous as I was today. I knew that there was nothing I could do about it, but nonetheless I nearly passed out before I laid down on the table. I wish I could have taken my blood pressure because I am sure it was not healthy. Laying on that table brought back a flood of memories. When we were expecting sweet Lucas, laying on that table was a parent's worst fear come true. Being told that your baby only has half of a heart are words that no mother can fathom let alone express how it affects you. So, laying there today I couldn't help but be emotional and a nervous wreck.

When our cardiologist said the sweet words, "the baby has four chambers and four valves" I couldn't have been more ecstatic. We are so thankful for the developing heart and life that we have been blessed with. Praise the Lord for good news today.

We were told that there are a few defects that really aren't able to be totally detected prior to birth. One is a VSD that could be so small now that it is undetectable and the other is coarction of the aorta. He explained that when the ductus arteriosis closes in a newborn rarely it can cause some narrowing of the aorta. (I could have done without that part of the appointment). After the baby is born we will most likely have an echo of the baby's heart just to be certain, and for our peace of mind. I can see that I am going to want every last check done to make sure that things are as they should be.

We are beyond excited! Peter even went to the store and bought non-alcoholic champagne to celebrate. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support for our family. We are so grateful! We pray that our ultrasound next week will go smoothly and leave us with more to be thankful for! Next week at this time we can tell Lucas if he will have a brother or sister???

I blinked...

I feel like I just blinked and all of the sudden Lucas is a toddler and not a baby any more. He is at such a wonderful age right now.. I know I have said this before, but I LOVE this age. He is almost 18 months, can you believe it? If you would have asked me a month or so ago, I might have told you I'd trade him in :). Kidding of course, but he did go through a very big temper tantrum stage...and with his stubbornness, the temper tantrums are not fun. I think the temper tantrums at this age are primarily out of frusturation for not being able to fully communicate. It cracks me up when he says these garbled phrases while waving his hands in the air with conviction, like, "gosh mom, I can't be any more clear, dont' you get it?"

He is so attentive right now and trying so hard to talk. He learns a new word a day it seems. My favorite is yesterdays.. "meow". Every time he sees a cat (or anything slightly resembling a cat) he starts meowing and it is hilarious. He is loving any and all books. We probably read most books in the house at least once on a daily basis. Thankfully, for all of our sanity, I just went and bought some new ones.. we are mixing it up a bit:). I am loving my cuddly boy!

We have decided to go forth with Lucas' eye surgery. Not too excited about it, but we know it needs to be done and better sooner than later. We don't have a date yet, but are looking forward to having it behind us.

By the way, trying to capture Lucas smiling while looking at the camera for a picture is like trying to catch a humming bird with it's wings still. Hence the reason he is looking away in most of the pictures