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.

You're really there!

Look who we saw today! Our little peanut with such a strong heartbeat - first time out of 3 pregnancies that we were able to see this - it was a special moment. Amazing to see the very definition of love in that tiny form.

(Think I have to go visit the bathroom now....oh the joys!)

8-ish weeks.

Daddy snapped this picture of me terribly naseous and exahusted. This is how mama spends most of her time these days...plus lots of prayer for strength to make it through - but you are worth it all! First ultrasound in 2 days...hope to see that heart beating strong.