Thankful

We got to have ultrasound #4 today, but not at the clinic with our doc this time.  This morning we were blessed with the opportunity to share our baby via ultrasound on a projection screen with a class at Crossroads College while New Life Family Services shared about their services and educated the students on the development of a baby in utero.  It was a unique and fun experience to have my mom, sister, Luke, and mother-in-law there to see the live ultrasound.  The nurse who performed the ultrasound said that our baby at 15 weeks is about the size and weight of a stick of butter:)  A nice, concrete image to help imagine the size.  At one point baby looked like it was using the placenta as a bean bag chair, resting its butt on it with its feet (seemingly) hanging off:)

As always after an ultrasound, I am reminded of all that I am so very thankful for with this pregnancy...

• I am thankful for an understanding, caring doctor who has been supportive and encouraging to us during this pregnancy.
• I am thankful babies take about 9 months in utero so Brent and I have time to agree names:)
• I am thankful that Luke, at nearly 6 years old, is so excited about the baby.  Just this afternoon, he went into our room, found our Mayo Pregnancy book, and flipped through the pages himself until he found the diagram with a picture of a 15 week old baby.
• I am thankful that I have felt wonderful throughout the pregnancy.  I know that is not something that every woman can say, and I am very fortunate.
• I am thankful for the Healthy Pregnancy Program at Mayo's employee gym (Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center) that has challenged me physically and mentally, and for the wonderful instructor who has introduced me to so many new exercises.
• I am thankful to be expecting at the same time as my two, very special friends from high school (both of whom were my bridesmaids).  One is expecting in March and the other in June. 
• I am thankful for a wonderful husband who loves me no less even when the household chores get prioritized below time in the recliner or a nap, who is supportive in every aspect of pregnancy, and who listens and comforts when I need it most.
• I am thankful that our home is already ready for another addition to the family.  (Two finished bedrooms downstairs are ready to be claimed.)
• I am thankful to have heard the analogy that giving birth is like a marathon and the challenge that if I were running a marathon in six months that I would already be training...thus, I have been motivated to physically prepare myself for the journey of labor and delivery. 
• I am thankful for the opportunity to be pregnant again and to play a small part in the miracle of creation.

The list could go on and on, but I did not want another day to go by without recording my gratefulness as I have thought of it often.

Our next scheduled ultrasound is on February 16, Luke's 6th birthday!  By then, we should be able to learn the sex of the baby, assuming he or she is cooperative in during the scan:)

Snow Day

Our little man was busy on his very first snow day off from school (January 23, 2012):

Writing numbers on a half page of paper:) 

Of course they also had fun outside in the snow, shot hoops, and played with friends at daycare, but this was what he was proud to share with us:)

He certainly loves his numbers!

On a similar note, he read us two books tonight.  We're so grateful he loves learning.

Recently...

Recently I've been...

• Making more frequent trips to the bathroom, including during the night
• Resting anytime I get a chance
• Filling out my clothes in some welcomed areas and some not so welcomed areas
• Talking with Luke about moving to a new bedroom downstairs in the near future
• Avoiding aspartame, lunch meat, and monitoring my intake of caffeine
• Making frequent trips to Charlton 3
• Reading the latest version of Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
• Parking in the "Mother To Be" parking spaces any chance I get (especially during the holiday craziness)
• Considering it's been a long time since we've done any of these things...

Why, do you ask, have I been doing all of these things? Because we are expecting another baby in July! July 17, 2012 to be exact:)   We officially started our second trimester this week!

We've had three ultrasounds and all have shown an active baby with a strong heartbeat and growing right on track. It has taken a while to sink in, but we are all very excited:)

Here's to an exciting 2012 with LOTS of changes in store for the Picker household:)