It's A...

....Girl!!!

(Baby Girls' face and arm)

Ray and I had our Sonogram Appointment today, at 20 weeks, and we received the news that we are expecting a little girl...

We are very excited!

Everything looked great and we were told we have a healthy (and active) little one! And yes...there is ONLY ONE!!!! No twins...

Our little girl cooperated in showing us her arms, legs and whether she was a girl or boy...we didn't have much luck getting to see her face though. The nurse tried and tried to get a good picture of her face, but after almost an hour long appointment, we only got a quick little peak...

Below are some pictures and a video from our appointment...

Legs

Face

Arm & Hand

Legs

Head

Side Profile of Face

It's a Heirloom Tomato...Week 19!

I am a few days late on doing my Week 19 update, but alas, here it is...

Week 19 marks the baby being the size of an Heirloom Tomato...okay, not as fun or catchy as a Bell Pepper or Turnip, but we're growing non-the-less...

19 Weeks, 6 Days

Fun Baby Facts:

This week the baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom - about the size of a large heirloom tomato. It's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that it may be able to hear our voices now.

Its arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of its body now. The baby's kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on its scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on its skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid. (haha...don't want a pickled baby!)

How Am I Doing?

For the most part this was a good week for me. Sleeping at night has still been a struggle, but with all the snow we got over the last week, I had some extra days off of work and was very fortunate for the ability to get some extra rest!

I feel like my belly doubled in size this past week. It really didn't, but it sure felt like it. Pants that fit me last week were a little too snug for comfort this week. My skin is so dry and has been very itchy. I've tried just about every lotion there is just to get a little relief.

The baby continues to become more and more active. I can feel the baby daily, especially when I lay on the couch and watch TV in the evenings.

Tomorrow Ray and I find out if we are having a boy or a girl...so check back later this week for our big announcement!

It's a Bell Pepper...Week 18

Today I am 18 weeks and 4 days... The baby is continuing to grow and so am I!

18 weeks, 4 days

Fun Baby Facts:

Head to rump, the baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and weighs almost 7 ounces. The baby is busy flexing its arms and legs and its blood vessels are visible through its thin skin. Its ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from its head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around its nerves. If we're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If we're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now.

How Am I Doing?

I had my monthly appointment this past Monday. Everything looked and sounded great! I have continued to loose weight...I am now down a total of 13 pounds since I became pregnant. My doctors said to eat, eat, eat...eat anything and everything. I feel like all I do is eat! While I am no longer dealing with the daily nausea, I am continuing to find out that there's things that my body or the baby just don't like. Anything that is rich in flavor, meat of any kind, some sweets...I have to stay away from. I try eating them and it ends with me in the bathroom throwing it up - NOT FUN!!!!

Getting a good night sleep as been a struggle for me for a long time and it's just gotten worse over the last week or so. I can no longer sleep on my back and sleeping on my stomach is becoming increasingly uncomfortable. Ear plugs have become my best friend, as Ray snores... My bed time has gone from 10pm to 9pm and napping has been a must when I get home from work in the evenings.

I have started to feel the baby move here and there. The movements are subtle and not very often, but it's exciting when it happens and I notice!

We have scheduled our next sonogram for February 16th! This is when we get to find out if we are having a boy or a girl! Any guesses on what we are having?

It's a Turnip! Week 17...

A few weeks after our first doctors appointment I signed up to get a weekly update from and pregnancy website. Each week the update gives a some information about the baby's growth and it's size. I've decided to do the same thing...to try to weekly post a picture of my belly growth and some fun facts about the baby. I hope you will enjoy!

17 weeks, 3 days

Fun Baby Facts:

The baby weighs approximately 5 ounces and is around 5 inches long (from head to bottom)...it is about the size of a turnip...

The baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone and the umbilical cord is growing stronger and thicker. The baby can move its joints and its sweat glands are starting to develop.

How Am I Doing?

This is the question everyone keeps asking me, so I've decided to also give a quick update each week on how I am doing and feeling...

The last few weeks have been pretty good. The nausea has subsided and my appetite has returned. YEAH! I've only had a few nights where I haven't felt very good. This past Sunday evening was one of those nights. Apparently baby doesn't like the creaminess of a chicken pot pie. I took two bites and spent the next 30 minutes in the bathroom - THAT was NOT enjoyable!

I really haven't had very many cravings (although the other night I really wanted Cinnamon Rolls). Instead, I've been the opposite. I would not consider myself a very picky eater - I might eat the same things over and over, but it's because I like it, not because I am picky. However, since being pregnant there are things I just want nothing to do with. Eggs would be one of those things - don't let me look at them, spell them - no thank you! Meat has been another thing. I keep trying to eat meet - chicken, pork, whatever...and nope, don't want it, don't like it.

I've been very tired. My bed time has moved up to 9pm. I've found that if I go to bed much later than that, I really struggle with getting up in the morning.

Well, I think that's it for now...I am off to find some oreo cookies and a glass of milk...

First Sonogram-January 5, 2010

Ray and I had our first sonogram to see Baby today. It was really exciting! The doctor confirmed that my due date is July 5th. Everything looked great. The baby's heart was beating about 160 beats per minute which is right on target - good and strong.

We got to see the baby's head, torso, arms and legs. It's an active one (just like daddy)! Baby moved all over the place...waving, kicking and even looked at us to smile! :)

Here's baby's first pic! Check out the video below to see the sonogram video Ray took during our appointment.

Nurturing Heritage

Nurture (verb) 1. To give tender care and protection; 2. To encourage to grow, develop, thrive and be successful.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord…” Psalm 127:3 (AMP)

Being a mother has always been a dream and desire of mine – one that has been at the center of my heart for as long as I can remember. And though it has been a dream, it has also been a fear for me too. Being a mother is a huge responsibility.

When I was younger, I dreamt of becoming a teacher so I could care for children who were not my own, especially children who did not have someone at home to love them. As I got older, I began mentoring teenage girls. After Ray and I got married, we began joyfully helping to care for our friends’ children. With each year that passes, my desire to be a mother has never ceased to pound with every beat of my heart.

And while dreaming of one day being a mother, I also had other dreams – dreams of a fabulous marriage, dreams of a great job, dreams of going to graduate school, dreams of serving God with all I have… With each of these have come great sacrifices of time. And each of them are being fulfilled in my life at this very moment!

Becoming a parent has been one of the many things that Ray and I have diligently and faithfully given to God, trusting that when it is time, He will lead us into that chapter of our lives. After many discussions and prayers, we both felt excited about waiting and moving towards expanding our family in the latter part of 2010. I wanted to be in my last semester of grad school before leaping into to motherhood.

I believe that God is a humorous God – I think He watches us all as we “make our plans”… giggling because only He knows what is really going to happen.

On the afternoon of Friday, November 20th, I suddenly realized that I had yet to start my period, in fact, it seemed that I was at least 2 weeks late on starting. (I haven’t always been the greatest at tracking this…). So, with Ray on his 18-hour flight home from 10 days in Pakistan, I thought “I guess I’ll go waste $25 on some sticks that I can pee on, just to have it confirmed that I am not pregnant”. I was on birth control and missing my period was nothing new to me. So a quick stop at CVS and homeward bound I was. I did my thing and waited the long 3 minutes for the results to show. Not really believing the results, I chugged a bottle of water and tried again. After another 3 minutes, same results came.

$25 dollars and 2 pregnancy sticks later the results came in…

I WAS PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!

I seriously sat on the bathroom floor, tears rolling down my face, starring at those two sticks… realizing that the word “NOT” was not going to appear in front of the word “PREGNANT”.

With mixed emotions, the realization that Ray and I were going to be parents hit me. I was so happy, yet so terrified.

After almost a month of knowing and one doctors appointment later (this will come in a later post), Ray and I have had the opportunity to tell our families and slowly begin telling our friends of our exciting news.

We are beyond excited about becoming parents and it’s been just as exciting to see the reactions of our friends and families.

Psalm 127:3 (Amp) says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord…” This has been a passage that has been on my heart the last few days. Other versions say that children are a “gift” from the Lord. We truly have been given a gift – a true descendant of our heavenly father. The thought that God has entrusted Ray and I to care for and love this baby, that He has handpicked and designed this child before it was in my womb is an overwhelming feeling that brings me such great joy.

Ray and I want to thank every one of you who are a part of our lives and who are standing with us believing great and marvelous things for our baby.

Thank you for standing along side of us as we, together, nurture this child…this gift, from the Lord…

Ray, Summer & Baby

Shenendoah Valley & Dining Room Tables

Ray and I had a full and exciting Saturday this past weekend!

On Wednesday we made a trip to IKEA (possibly one of my all time favorite stores!) in search of some items for our house...specifically a dining room table. After an hour of walking the showroom floor (if you've never been...this was a pretty quick walk through...it can take hours sometimes). Anyways, we found the tables and I found the table...however, Ray was quick to point out the price, so I sadly went out to look for a different one. But wouldn't you know that God was on my side that night?! While talking to one of the ladies who worked there (she was patiently walking with me as I was trying to make my decision) she pointed out that one of their tables was on sale Saturday through Tuesday...the table she pointed out was the one I really wanted! It was going to be $200 off if we came back on Saturday. So, that's what we did...

Saturday morning we left the house at 7:30am (very rare that either of us are even out of bed before 10am on a Saturday) and we took off for IKEA (by way of Chick-fil-a first)...we got our table and our chairs (that was a whole other ordeal...why must they give you so many options!? Don't they know I'm indecisive?)...

BUT, we weren't homeward bound yet. We decided to meet up with a friend and head out to the Shenedoah Valley and spend some time driving Skyline Drive. It was so beautiful! A great fall day in the mountains!

That evening, we returned home with our boxes for our table and chairs and began putting them together...

Here are some pictures from our day....enjoy!

Great Grandma Wonder Passes Away at 106

My Great Grandmother, just shy of her 107th Birthday, went home to be with the Lord last week...She will be greatly missed!


Edith M. Wonder, age 106, of Port Orange, formerly of Daytona Beach, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 22, 2008. A funeral mass in her honor will be held Tuesday, October 28, 2008,10:00 AM at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, 4675 S. Clyde Morris Blvd, Port Orange, with Fr. Raymond O'Leary officiating. Interment will follow at Daytona Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Monday, Oct. 27, 2008, 5-7PM at the Baggett and Summers chapel of the Lohman Funeral Homes, 736 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach. Mrs. Wonder was born in Pennsylvania where she was a dedicated teacher until her retirement. After moving back to Florida, she volunteered as a tutor at Our Lady of Lourdes. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she will best be remembered for her love of helping others. Edith was proud of her time in the Spanish Club, her dedication of entertaining at local nursing homes, and with her church involvement. Her beloved husband of 53 years, Craig E. Wonder (1982); a son, Craig R. Wonder (1991); three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild, preceded her in death. She will be greatly missed by her three children: Marvin E. (June)Wonder, Joyce (Xavier) Senatro, and Joline (Francis) Antoine; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Anna Brown, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Hospice of Volusia Flagler. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the careful direction of LohmanFuneral Home Daytona.

Dad Comes to Visit...

Last weekend Dad came up to DC for a quick visit...I don't know about him, but I was sure worn out. We did crammed as much as we could into his two day visit...

Friday we went into DC (via Metro), walked around the National Mall, stopped in front of the Capital, went to the Botanical Gardens, and spent a few hours in the Air & Space Museum.

Saturday we got up earlier and headed back into DC, met up with our great friend Andy, and made a visit to the Washington Monument, where we picked up our reserved tickets to take our tour to the top of the city! After that we visited the WWII Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, President Lincoln and the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial.

WOW! It was a lot...Here are some pictures from his trip...

Dad in front of the Capital...

Me...

A small scale Space Shuttle at the Air & Space Museum

Dad, Ray & Andy at the base of the Washington Monument.
A view of the Lincoln Memorial from the Washington Monument

Dad, Me & Ray inside the Washington Monument

A view of the White House from the top of the Washington Monument...

A view of the Captial...

The Jefferson Memorial...

And the WWII Memorial...

After the tour of the Washington Monument, we made our way to the Korean War Veterans Memorial...

Dad & I in front of President Lincoln...

This is on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. On August 28, 1963 Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his I Have a Dream speech, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Ray & I on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument behind us...

And our final stop on dad's two day tour of DC was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial...

Visit from Christie & John

You can probably gather from all the recent posts, that we've been super busy lately!

Last weekend our friends, Christie & John, dropped in and stayed with us for a day on their way back to Florida. It was awesome to see them and catch up with them. We love when we have visitors!

Here's some pictures...

Christie & John...Look at all our pizza! Yummy!

Ray & I

Alexandria City Hall, Old Town

John, Christie, Me, Ray @ City Hall

Ray & John walking ahead as we watch the storm approach...

We got caught in a downpour, so Christie & I found this little covered garage and we waited for the guys to go get the car and come pick us up...

The Dairy Godmother is a place that sells homade frozen custard...it's simply the best in all of Alexandria! And it sure beats ice cream...we come here at least once a week...

The four of us at The Dairy Godmother...