25 weeks.

Finally starting to feel a little more like myself, except getting used to a certain protrusion. Andrew loves seeing my tummy grow...that's a good thing, as it only gets bigger from here on out! Time to start catching up on all I didn't do during my period of nausea...a bit of organization needs to occur around the home.

Friendship, baby bellies, and smiles.

This past week, I stopped by to visit my dear friend Christine who is also pregnant (with a girl!) due in about a week. We were determined to capture both of our pregnant bellies together and were happy to get these photos. We've spent many an hour conversing about mothering and babies, and have been blessed to share in this experience at the same time. Enjoy the happiness and fun! Got a few shots with hubby too.

A friend should be one in whose understanding and virtue we can equally confide, and whose opinion we can value at once for its justness and its sincerity. ~ Robert Hall

When did all this happen?!?

It's been a wild ride up to this point!

"When we consider the blessings of God—the gifts that add beauty and joy to our lives, that enable us to keep going through stretches of boredom and even suffering - friendship is very near the top." Donald W. McCullough

Almost 22 weeks...

...and falling in love with our little boy.

20 weeks.

Hard to believe we are halfway there!

The bump is coming along!

We love you, little boy; keep on growing.



Blues and greens and cars and trucks.

Little One,

Today we discovered that you are a BOY!!  We are so excited to know your gender. Well, Papa was a little reluctant at first, as he thought it would spoil a big surprise at the end, but I want to know as much about you as I can during this pregnancy, and so we decided to find out, and we are SO glad we did! Your uncles and aunts were quite surprised, as most of them were 100% sure you were a girl (to even out the boy-girl ratio amongst the grandchildren thus far). Up until last week, I had no feeling one way or another, and this week suddenly had a strong feeling that you were a boy. And so you are! A very healthy and active one as evidenced in today's ultrasound. Recently, your aerobics have prompted us to nickname you "little monkey." We are so looking forward to having an eldest son, and we love you very much and pray for you every day. Many of our friends are praying for you too! Keep growing.

 

 

(Side note: My cysts remain, and so in 2 weeks I will be going in to have them diagnosed. Please keep this in your prayers - surgery has been mentioned - not the most desired thing for me during a pregnancy.)

16 weeks.

I started to really pop out just around 16 weeks. Heard the babe's heartbeat for the first time yesterday! Remembering that sound helps me survive the nausea and visits to the porcelain bowl. :) Also have been feeling movements, especially during this week's midwife appointment - she prodded my tummy thoroughly.

(Note: Further tummy pictures will be fully clothed. Andrew snapped this one today - our only one so far, as I have been feeling so miserable, that picture taking is not on my mind.)

Introducing...

Juliette Marie Dilanji born September 15 at home in the water! I was fortunate to be feeling a little better this past week, and so was able to go up to Gainseville and meet her, and visit with Laura's family and Mom and Catherine who were in visiting/helping out. It was so very encouraging for me to be able to hold and spend time with a newborn - reminded me how precious is the gift that awaits at the end of this tough beautiful journey of pregnancy. :) Juliette is so precious and will receive much love, especially from her 3 older brothers.

Almost 14 weeks.

The infrequency of my posts, despite this most exciting and important time in our lives, will attest to the fact of my extreme morning 24/7 hr. sickness. At times, it is so intense that I forget I am pregnant!! But these crazy hormones are such a good sign, so I am thankful throughout the struggle. Hubby has been SO wonderful, taking care of me and the housework...I don't know what I would do without him!

This morning was one of those rare mornings I could eat, carbs nonetheless -
thanks hubby for the French toast! I'm not lookin' too hot.

Yesterday, I had such a great ultrasound of you, little one. I felt bad Daddy couldn't be there to see you. The tech pointed out all your important features and body parts to me. Strong heartbeat, great bone structure, limbs...everything where it should be. And you're quite the mover; your little arms were all over the place. Everything progressing well! I, on the other hand, have a cyst on each ovary that my midwife and Dr. are monitoring. No unsual pain stemming from that area, so we are suspecting them to be endometrial cysts....further diagnosis and decision on what to do with them will be discussed in the near future, but for now, I'm so happy that YOU are well and growing!! Deo gratias! We love you.

You're pretty cute, hmm, boy or girl....?

And there's some of the action.