Soooo big

Can you believe it? The baby is the size of a large plum now according to my "What to Expect When Your Expecting" book! That sounds huge to me, especially because you can't even tell there's anything in there yet.

This week, we are looking forward to our first ultrasound. We will update on Wednesday, right after the appointment (hopefully with a picture!)

Why we think this baby is coming at the perfect time

Well, obviously the number one reason is because God ordained this baby to be conceived and born in His perfect timing. He is sovereign. He knows best. He opens and closes the womb. Even if we didn't understand, we would still trust in His timing for our lives.

As we tell people the news, we have frequently been mentioning how perfect the timing is considering our plans for this next year, God-willing.

Here are some of our reasons and ways we see God's perfect timing:

1. Thankfully, during the first 3 months, characterized by much fatigue and some morning sickness, we have been able to relax, rest, and take it easy. We have been so blessed to be on some vacations with both of our families during these times (who have been so accommodating!) and able to enjoy each other and relax with very little stress/busyness. This comes right after our time in Ocean City which was far from "taking it easy." :)
2. Apparently, around 13 to 14 weeks, most pregnant women experience a boost of energy that lasts throughout the 2nd Trimester, which happens to be our entire fall quarter at Northwestern. I couldn't of asked for a better time to be able to do ministry, and finish well at this place we have loved being at for so long.
3. In the winter, comes a wedding that we're both in, the holidays, and then New Staff Training. Our doctor already okay-ed us to be traveling in January for the training, assuming there will be no problems with the pregnancy.
4. After the training, our full-time job (for at least 6 months) is to raise our full financial support for full time staff. This is a GREAT time to have some time off for the birth and be able to adjust to our new life as a family of three.

On a fun note, The picture above is of our first baby toy! It is a little soft blanket with a frog head that says "I love hugs," given to us by my mom on my birthday. :)

Michaela at (almost) 11 weeks

Here is my first belly picture. You can think of it as a "before" picture because I'm not yet "showing." However, most of my clothes I wore earlier this summer do not fit me anymore and I feel bigger. Thank you to all those who have loaned me maternity clothes! I'm just starting to wear some for comfort's sake. :)

The Second Most-Asked Question:

Q: How are you feeling?

A: Surprisingly well! I have been very tired (feel like I could go to bed at 9, wake up at 10...) and sometimes queasy. I haven't thrown up in several weeks (week 6 and week 8 were marked by some of that.) Sometimes I get crampy, and I generally have most of the other pregnancy symptons you hear about to a small degree. Thankfully, Pete says I haven't been too moody. :)

On another note, we have been pretty amazed at what's going on inside my body. Check out these cool facts:

• Even though I'm not showing yet, the baby is 2 inches long already!
• Even though the baby is only 2 inches long, he or she already has a nose, lips, eyes, hair follicles, nail beds, tiny fingers and toes, kidneys, bones, a growing brain, muscles, gums, a tongue, and much more.
• His or her heart started beating 6 weeks ago!

We're pretty in awe of God and how He creates. I've never felt Psalm 139 be so real before now when it talks about how God knits us together in our mother's wombs.


At the request of several people so far, I'll start posting "belly pictures" soon.

Fun Due Date

At our appointment, Dr. Herndon told us our due date is March 20th, which is my (Michaela) brother Aaron's birthday! Even if we're early or late we could have the baby on any number of my cousins birthdays which are numerous during that month.

Speaking of our doctor, we really like her. She is a Christian, recommended to me by some other staff wives and is familiar with Campus Crusade. She made us feel very comfortable and at ease.

10 Weeks!

We just had our first prenatal appointment Tuesday morning, and everything seems to be going well. We were given a [verbal] "gold star" by our nurse as she interviewed us on our genetic histories. Apparently we have good genes.

So far our most common question has concerned gender. No, we don't know the baby's gender yet. That's still about another 10 weeks from now before they can tell that from an ultrasound. Sad face. We're both ok either way though, although I think Pete would prefer a boy...