We got stuff!

This Monday, we received a special gift from my sister and her family. They let us have our pick of Carson's infant paraphernalia which he has outgrown. We are now officially a part of the 3B club (boppy, bumpo, & bouncer).

I have to admit, having that stuff in the house is making me even more excited for Kara's arrival. Too bad we're only half way there. At least it gives us plenty of time to read the instruction manuals included with each of the products.

Thank you so much, Daniel, Amber, and Carson! We are incredibly blessed and grateful for your generosity!

Meet Kara James!

We're delighted and full of joy to tell you our first child will be a girl. Her name is Kara James. Here are a few photos from our ultrasound on September 10th. She weighs 13 ounces, which puts her in the 76th percentile.

Here is a profile:

Here is her little hand:

Feel free to compare these to her Granny's dream.

We can't wait to hold our little one. We covet your prayers that the rest of the pregnancy goes well and for her to know Christ!

BTW - Kara means Joy or Delight. James is a family name from both sides.

He'll be a good dad

My belly.

Lee has recently discovered that it makes a great drumming sound and is the perfect size to grab with both hands and jiggle around.

We both get a good laugh out of it (although a part of me feels like I should be offended). Right now it's his little way of playing with the baby. Some people read books to their children while in the womb, others sing songs. Lee is more hands on.

It's Alive!!!

As the weeks roll by, this pregnancy has become more real. The undeniable bump, the disappearing belly button, and now...I felt the baby move!!!

I've been anxiously waiting to say that for a couple of weeks. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night thinking that I feel the baby, but it's just my heartbeat. I know that sounds odd, but sometimes my heartbeat speeds up while I'm sleeping and I can feel it thumping in my head and stomach.

But this was real...I was very much awake, and I was able to rule out active bowels. I say that because I have the loudest, most active digestive tract in the world. It has been a life-long source of humor and embarrassment for me.

Many books describe the early feelings of movement similar to flutters. They're right. I'm so excited!

Pink or Blue?

For those of you who love to cast your votes and are having withdrawals while waiting for new seasons of American Idol, So you Think you can Dance, and Dancing with the Stars...we have posted a poll in the side bar.

Do you think we will be having a baby boy or baby girl?

No, your vote doesn't count toward the actual outcome, but we'll let you know what the doctor says on September 10th.

29, and holding on

(this is a week late, but we have been pretty busy)

HAPPY 29TH BIRTHDAY, LEE!!!!

You are an amazing man and my favorite person. Thank you for leading our family to know and desire Christ, and thank you for being an example of selflessness, honesty, and generosity to me. I am so grateful that we get to spend our lives together!

Thanks to all the friends and family who celebrated Lee's birthday with us. He loved it!

Button Bustin'

It finally happened. I couldn't even come close to buttoning my pants today.

Our baby is now 16 weeks along, and likely the size of a grapefruit. My belly bump has become noticeable to people other than myself, and I've been putting clothes in the "see you next year" pile at an alarming rate.

Some fun news from my latest Ob/Gyn appointment...
1. They had difficulty tracking the baby's heartbeat because it wouldn't stay still. Hopefully, that means we'll start feeling some kicks soon.
2. On September 10th we'll get to find out the sex of our baby! I'll be happy to stop calling him or her an "it".