Patiently waiting

Hello all!

I forgot we had a blog. Sorry. :) We have had a crazy four months, but also an exciting four months. Alex got a new job a couple of weeks ago, which has been a HUGE blessing and a very direct answer to prayer and fasting. He just took his finals today, so it is officially summer vacation! (From school, anyways).

 Seeing as I am going to be a Mommy any day now, I thought I would jot down some thoughts while I am not sleep deprived. Well, while I am sort-of-not sleep deprived. :)

I am officially ready for the baby to be outta me. We were given 3 different due dates - April 21, April 24 and May 2. I always suspected he would come in between the last two. Now that we are actually in between the last two, I am going a little crazy. As of a week ago, I am 85% effaced and 2 cm dialated. But oh boy, this week I have been getting contractions on and off. All week. Nothing consistant enough to go in to the hospital, but enough to know that something is going on in there.

It is a very surreal feeling preparing to bring life into the world. I feel like I am nowhere near qualified to do so. I remember women telling me that by the end of their pregnancy, they thought they would be pregnant forever. I remember thinking "Well, that's weird. You were almost done". But guess what? It's true. When every hour could be THE hour that labor starts, it sure feels like pregnancy will never end. And at the same time, it's terrifying to thinknabout pregnancy ending, and the rest of your life beginning.

We are so excited. Thank you to all who have supported us, showered us, and loved us. We sure are spoiled. We get to have a baby of our very own -- something that is nothing less than a miracle. We are grateful, nervous, tired, uncomfortable, excited, scared, and so humbled. We can't believe that a baby will be a part of our lives any day now. I can't wait to hold him and cuddle him. And I can't wait to do it all with Alex.

I am sure I will turn into a Mommy blogger who posts a million pictures of my cute child. Because, let's face it, those are my favorite blogs to read. Always have been. So, hopefully the next time you hear from me, I will be typing one-handed with a baby in the other arm.

Hope you are all well!
xoxo

Natalie

drum roll please...

hello my four readers!

Yesterday we had our gender ultrasound. I LOVE ultrasounds. I haven't felt any movement yet, so I still think it's amazing that a little baby is wiggling in there. We are double spoiled because we got to find out early--at 16 weeks in stead of 20. Score.

It is an absolute miracle. I am so, so grateful that a child is coming to us. Fertility is such a precious thing. For a bit there we weren't so sure it would all work out, but it works out in the Lord's timing and not ours :)


SO! To announce the big news, we had a UT family get together last night. (I called MN family about 5 seconds after we got to the car after the appointment) :). It was really, really fun and of course I took zero pictures. We had family and a few friends over and showed them the DVD of the ultrasound. When they first came, they voted for girl or boy by pouring pink or blue punch in their cups. We made cupcakes filled with the right color frosting -- and then showed them the ultrasound. Then we talked about funny names for the next hour. :) This baby gets a fun family.

And now, to announce it to YOU -- we are having a little....

BOY! :)

We are so, so excited!! Either gender would have been great for us, and we are so happy it's a boy. I have been drooling over overalls, bow ties, sweater vests, and track suits ever since we found out. He gave us a very clear picture, so we're 100% sure he's a boy!

We are so excited for this stage of our lives. We are so blessed! I will (hopefully) post soon to update you on the other latest stuff with us. But this is by far the best. :)

xoxo

Nat

miracle :)

..and we are SO excited! :)


xoxo

Natalie