Gopher Glen Apple Farm (27 weeks)

We decided to take a little adventure to Avila's Gopher Glen Apple Farm.  It was so fun to get fresh apples and enjoy the warm autumn weather!  It also happened to be my 30th birthday and a wonderful way to celebrate!

Also, we got word of good news this week: my glucose test came back negative!  Yay!  The holidays will be sweet just as they always are! :)  

We hit double digits! (26 weeks)

So, we finally are in the double digits!  98 days until birth!  We are so so excited about holding our sweet little boy. :)  He is kicking and kicking these days and it is always good to know that he is there and interested in all of his surroundings.  Apparently, Ethan can now see... not a lot to look at, but he sure will have lots to look at in 3 months!  Sometimes when I think about it, I realize that the weeks make it seem shorter until his day arrives... only 14 more weeks!  That doesn't seem so long!  My belly is also getting bigger these days!  It is fun to have a physical representation of what's inside!  This week has been pretty laid back.  And next week, I am SO excited to go to gopher glen apple farm with a few friends.  We will pick apples, have a picnic and maybe go to dinner afterward!  What a wonderful season this is!  I am so thankful to have a healthy pregnancy and baby!  Here is a belly pic from today!  Enjoy! I will try to remember to post pics of the apple farm trip next week too!  God bless you!

A Day Trip (23 weeks)

So, I am starting to get pretty big.  The below picture is not probably the most flattering, but at least you can tell I am pregnant! :)  Ethan is kicking all about now!  Just yesterday, at the doctor's office, he insisted on continually kicking the doppler when the doctor was trying get his heart rate!  I couldn't help but laugh!  The doctor also commented... "Well, you have quite an active little boy!"

As it turns out, we tried to be active this weekend also, as we took a spontaneous trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo!  We were able to get a good Mexican lunch, lots of walking, and some delicious locally made ice cream! :)

This below picture is something that we heard rumored about... REAL R.O.U.S.s!!  Yes, that is right, for all of you Princess Bride aficionados out there, this is a picture of the largest rodents in the world!  They are literally the size of dogs... (not the yippy ones)! 

The flamingos are for our nephew, Luke.  These were his favorite animal last time we all went to the zoo together!  They are very pretty.... and very smelly!

Lastly we also got to relax by this beautiful koi pond.  This was very much needed, as all that walking around in the (finally) hot weather was getting this pregnant lady pretty tired! :)

The Name (21 Weeks)

We wanted to choose a name for our son that not only rolled off the tongue eloquently, had a significant meaning, and was devoid of negative associations for us, but also one that was derived from the Bible.

There was a man who was known for being wise, who was spoken of in the same sentence with King Solomon in all his wisdom. He grew up with two brothers, singing, writing songs, and making music to the Lord. As a Levite, he also grew up watching his relatives serve in the tabernacle, observing the sacrifices being offered, and pondering the mercies of the Lord. He wrote a Psalm, and had three additional Psalms dedicated to him.

Rumours had it that the ark - the very symbol of the Lord’s presence - was being returned. As it was arriving, being carried on the shoulders of men, the joyful dancing was accompanied by songs of praise. This man and his brothers stood before the people, played stringed instruments, trumpets, and cymbals, and led the congregation in song - ”raising the voice with resounding joy” (1 Chronicles 15:16).

King David designated him by name to give thanks to the Lord; his six sons also walked faithfully with God and were separated by David for service. They were called to declare the word of the Lord through song (“to prophecy with stringed instruments” (1 Chronicles 25:1-3)). Years later, he was able to witness the completion and dedication of Solomon’s temple. Standing next to the altar where countless sacrifices were made, dressed in white, he stood with his sons leading the congregation in worship, singing “He is good; His mercy endures forever” (1 Chronicles 16:34). When the presence of the Lord filled the temple, he was unable to even sing, as he fell to his knees in worship, in awe of the reality of God’s presence. God’s presence always seemed to inspire and accompany his songs.

His name was Ethan, and thus is our son's namesake.

With his name meaning "strong", our desire is for Ethan to love the Lord with all of his heart, soul, and STRENGTH, as it says in Deuteronomy 6:5. The Lord has created him to know God, to walk humbly with Him, and to trust in the mercy of God through Jesus Christ. And even as Ethan is being shaped in body, mind, and personality, it is comforting as parents to know that God has bigger plans for him than we do!

And it came and went: 20 weeks

Actually, in this picture, I am about 20.7 weeks... :). But as you may know, we had the ultrasound. The baby is as healthy as can be (measured 20 weeks 5 days when he was 20 weeks 2 days old... let me guess... he is going to be tall). Also, the placenta is in its rightful position!! We are super excited! And, just to make it blog-official, we are having a BOY!!! :) Stay tuned for the name. Josh will be posting the name and its significance very soon! :)

19 Weeks: It's almost time!

For some reason I can't rotate this picture here. So, here is the only time I am going to be laying on my back during the pregnancy! ;) Anyway, at the time of this picture there is a week to go until the ultrasound, and I am SO excited. We just can't wait to find out whether baby is a girl or a boy!

On Thursday, this week (August 11, 2011), I felt what I thought was my stomach girgling after lunch and touched my hand to the area. To my surprise, I felt a very obvious kick from our little sweetie. I could have sworn it was a heel: it was THAT distinct! This was such a huge moment for me in the growing reality that there is actually a HUMAN growing in me! I have been feeling what I thought were maybe little kicks since 15 weeks, but I never was sure of it and it happened so infrequently. Now that I have felt this with my hand, I feel the baby kicking all the time! I guess my stomach wasn't as active as I had thought. It was baby all along! What a joy to live with this child in the same body for all this time!

Please be praying for our little baby as they continue to grow and that we would have a healthy report this upcoming Tuesday!

14 weeks

I don't have too much of a title for this post as it covers a few topics in my mind. Well, hard things to talk about first I guess. At 12.5 weeks, I was instructed to go to the hospital for some very light bleeding. I thought the doctor would laugh at me for even calling in, but instead, she told me to head to the hospital right away because I have a negative blood type that requires a shot to ensure that I do not build antibodies against the baby. While at the hospital, I had several tests and it was determined that I had what is called placenta previa. Basically, this means that my placenta has attached itself on the lower part of my uterus rather than the upper part. This condition is common early in pregnancy and 90% of the time, it resolves itself. So, my doctor is not at all worried. Also, as a benefit amidst the trial, we got a little snapshot of our sweet baby and he/she was moving ALL around in there and had a very strong heartbeat. However, it called for partial bed rest on my part. It hasn't been the most exciting time for me (Sandra), but God has good plans for it, I know. We have been focused on praying for our sweet baby during this time, who is now the length of a lemon!

On a more happy note, it is our anniversary today (July 5th) and yesterday we were able to spend the day in the Cambria area, enjoying the sun and some delicious food! :) We are so thankful for the marriage that God has provided for us that we have each other during the best seasons as well as the ones of difficulty. We know God has given us charge over this sweet one together and we are anxious always to see how the Lord will build us as a family!

The photos are of our 12.5 week ultrasound, my current baby bump, and the three of us at our anniversary dinner! :)