Updates...

Looking back to our ultrasound last week...

The Lord gave me such perfect peace as I walked into that ultrasound room. I was so nervous and scared at the beginning but was overwhelmed with His promise that He will never leave or forsake me. Once we got started and I saw that baby's heartbeat was strong and things were going well, my nervousness subsided and I was just overwhelmed with peace, joy and emotion as I watched the ultrasound technician point out many of our precious little one's body parts. The amazing miracle of God's creation of the little life inside me never ceases to fill me with amazement.

When the ultrasound technician typed "It's a Girl" onto the screen, I felt tears come to my eyes. Tony and I were both kinda thinking that it was a boy, so we were pleasantly surprised and so incredibly happy [as I know we would have been with a boy as well]. It's bittersweet thinking about Alethia Joy's little sister wearing many of the clothes and using the blankets, bedding, even the diapers, etc. that were purchased and intended for her originally, but I know that each time I use these items, I will be reminded of the sweet memories we do have of Alethia Joy and our longing to see her in Heaven someday will grow even deeper.

I was shopping for a baby shower gift [for a boy] a few days ago, but I found myself drawn to look at Target's section of little girls' clothes that I had tried so hard to avoid over the past year or so. It's a blessing to have a real reason to go back to that part of the store with hope in my heart rather than the pain that lingered there for so long.

I couldn't pass up purchasing this precious little "mommy's little love-bug" outfit that we hope and pray will be our baby girl's "going home from the hospital" apparel.

I am so thankful to be feeling well (other than not having a whole lot of energy) now at 21 weeks.

As fears and worries come and go

on a momentary, hourly, and daily basis...

I cling to this verse from Isaiah 41:10,

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

May you know His strength and feel the Lord upholding you today in whatever you may face.

Our sweet baby girl at 20 weeks

Thanking and praising God for this amazing little miracle...

Wonderfully Well :)

Just a quick update to let you know that our ultrasound yesterday went wonderfully well!

Everything is looking great with our little baby.....GIRL!!

We are so thrilled and thankful!

Thank you so much for your continual prayers :)

Ultrasound pictures to come...

In 2 days...

In 2 days I will be going back into that room, lying on that same bed, feeling that same cool gel on my stomach...the ultrasound room.

The same place where just 1 year, 2 months, 2 weeks, and 4 days ago, we stared at the silent screen and heard those incomprehensible words, "This is where you should see your baby's heartbeat. It looks like your baby died." That day was the beginning of an incredible journey of grief and pain that the Lord has carried us through each day and will continue to...

I am so full of mixed emotions right now.

Excited to see our precious little baby and hopefully find out if it's a boy or a girl.

Anxious to hear whether or not everything's ok.

And fearful of the possibility that maybe everything's not.

Just wanting Thursday afternoon to be here...

I have found myself placing my hand on my abdomen constantly just checking to make sure I feel movement. I cherish every little kick that I feel and am so thankful that baby Myers appears to be active and healthy thus far.

God has brought this verse to my mind often, and I am so thankful for this promise:

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3)

Lord, help my mind to be focused on You, and not on my own fears and worries.
Help me to trust You.
I desperately need Your perfect peace.

Birthday Freebies!

I love getting great deals, and a few months ago, my MIL sent me a link to a website that gives you links to lots of great birthday freebies. (I couldn't tell you what that web address is now...but you may be able to find it via google.)

So, since my birthday was this past Sunday, I took great advantage of many of the free e-mail coupons I received and got lots of free stuff (and ate way too much in the process!).

Here are some of the coupons I used (by the way, none of these required a purchase of any kind):

• Noodles & Company--free meal; it was our first time so they gave us free dessert too!


• Baskin Robbins--free ice cream cone


• Moe's Southwest Grill--free entree


• Maggie Moo's--free ice cream cone (just for the record, I gave this one to Tony!)


• Coldstone Creamery--free ice cream


• Red Robin--free gourmet burger and free ice cream sundae


• Caribou Coffee--free drink


• Firehouse Subs--free sub

Can you tell I finally have my appetite back? ;)

18 weeks!

Praise the Lord we have made it to 18 weeks!

I can already tell that my baby belly is popping out quite a bit sooner than in my pregnancy with Alethia...I think I was about this same size at 21 weeks with her!

According to Baby Center, baby Myers is now about the size of a bell pepper (in the picture you can see the comparison to the size of a quarter), weighs about 7 oz., and is about 5 1/2 inches long.

At my dr. appt yesterday, baby's heartrate was 152 bpm and the dr. said that he/she is measuring right on time. We are soo thankful for each and every day of health, strength, and life for baby! It has been wonderful to start feeling baby moving around as well.

Some other new developments that baby center had to share:

• Baby can flex his/her arms and legs.
• Blood vessels are visible through his/her skin.
• Baby's ears are now in their final position, although they're standing out from his/her head a little bit. (that little tidbit of info made me chuckle!)
• Male and female parts are now evident and noticable...

And on that note, we are excited about our 20 week ultrasound in which we will hopefully find out if Baby Myers is a boy or a girl! :)

The doctor asked yesterday if we were having an ultrasound, and I told him that we weren't scheduled for one for another couple of weeks but I (jokingly) said I would be happy to have one anyway! It didn't seem like there were very many patients at the clinic during that 2:00 p.m. time, and he seemed like he may have actually taken me up on that offer...but since Tony wasn't able to be there, I knew I had better wait!

Thanks again for all of your prayers...we appreciate them more than we can say!

P.S. Happy 21st Birthday to my "little" sister Natalie! :)

Easter Weekend

We spent a few days over Easter with my family in IA.

It was wonderful to see everyone!

Some highlights of the weekend...

Trampoline fun in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard (the weather was beautiful almost the whole time we were there!)

Tractor rides made Grandpa popular!

Cuddle and play time with this sweet little guy who's growing up too fast!

Coloring Easter eggs

Helping mom with some of the cooking, including this chocolate chip cheescake

An Easter egg hunt in Grandpa and Grandma's backyard

My sister Natalie and I celebrated our birthdays together (a little early)